The history of cars stretches back decades and the early days were marked with many demonstrations. The first organised public demonstration of cars can be traced back to the 15th October 1895. The Horseless Carriage Exhibition took place in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. What may have been seen as a novelty at the time became a historically significant event.
The event was organised by the town mayor, Sir David Salomons and car entrepreneur Frederick Simms. Salomons came from a scientific background and he had an interest in electricity. He registered various patents, including the first electric cooking device.
An innovative event
Salomons had also built his own electric car in 1874, but abandoned the project because he couldn’t find a way to recharge the batteries. In 1895 he became the second person to import a car, presenting a 3.5hp two-cylinder Daimler Peugeot. This car appeared alongside a Panhard-Levassor that was owned by Evelyn Ellis, director of The Great Horseless Carriage Company.
Traditionally, French cars were right-hand drive and Ellis ordered his in left-hand drive. It was driven from Paris to Le Havre, shipped to Southampton and then taken by train to Micheldever. Ellis then drove it to his home in Datchet.
Three other vehicles appeared at the Horseless Carriage Exhibition. This included a petrol-powered tricycle, a steam horse and Ellis’ fire engine that was powered by a Daimler engine.
Making the car a success
UK magazine Autocar reported on the event. “When the day arrives, when for many purposes a horsed vehicle will look as quaint as did the horseless chariots seen by us a fortnight since, this exhibitive trial will rank for this class of vehicle very much of a quality with the memorable trial of locomotives, in which the famous old Rocket so completely defeated the engines opposed to it at Rainhall just 66 years ago.”
“Sir David, who was much cheered as he passed, stopped from time to time and gave short descriptions of his own vehicle. The carriage takes the form of a Victoria body with a seat for two in front; the back seat, also accommodating two passengers, is raised considerably above that facing it, in order that the directeur may have a good view ahead.”
“The whole of this undertaking to make something like a reasonable start in demonstrating the entire practicability of motor-driven carriages arose with, and its expenses were defrayed by Salomons, to whom the thanks of the community at large, to say nothing of those of overworked equines, are certainly due. Changes are rapid in these days and the honour of the motor-driven road vehicle is close at hand.”
The event was crucial to making the car a more widely accepted vehicle. Parliament approved the raising of the speed limit from 4 mph to 12 mph 13 months later. Ellis also showed off his car around the UK, giving a ride to the future King Edward VII.
