Thanksgiving, Snow, and Spark Plugs: The Untold Story of America’s First Auto Race

This episode of The Logbook, our History of Motorsports series, details the historical significance and background of the 1895 Horseless Carriage Contest held on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Times Herald. It is often considered the first automobile race in America. David Schmidt, a director at the Society of Automotive Historians, will discuss the event's what, why, when, where, and who, delving into the conditions, entries, and outcomes. The event featured 80 entries, only 6 of which started, and 3 managed to finish, albeit with rule violations. The contest led to awards for innovation and performance. Noteworthy figures included Hieronymus Mueller, Charles B. King, and the developers of an electric vehicle named the Electrobat. The race is also contextualized within the broader backdrop of the era's technological advancements and the burgeoning automotive industry. Sponsors like the International Motor Racing Research Center, the Society of Automotive Historians, and others helped bring this historical presentation to life. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 The 1895 Horseless Carriage Contest Overview 00:37 Presenter Background: David Schmidt 01:21 Significance of the 1895 Race 02:53 Race Day Preparations and Challenges 07:10 The Thanksgiving Day Race 08:44 Post-Race Analysis and Awards 10:07 Impact and Legacy of the 1895 Race 10:43 Why the 1895 Race Was Held 11:29 The Role of the Chicago Times Herald 14:56 Rescheduling and Final Preparations 16:08 The Birth of American Auto Racing 16:28 Why Chicago? 18:18 The Bicycle Craze and Its Influence 19:44 Chicago: The Transportation Hub 20:30 Unsung Heroes of the Horseless Carriage 21:18 The Tragic Tale of Hieronymus Muller 22:06 Charles B. King: A Prodigious Inventor 23:36 The Electrobat: An Electric Pioneer 24:56 The Battle of Electric vs. Gasoline 26:23 Steinway's Automotive Adventure 27:34 Conclusion and Acknowledgements ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.