Duryea Automobile

 Frank Duryea at the wheel of his automobile, 1893. 

In 1895, the Chicago Times-Herald, inspired by the Paris-Rouen Automobile Race, decided they could sell a lot more papers if they too organized and ran an automobile race. They promoted the 14.5 mile Chicago-Evanston race for Thanksgiving Day, 1895. There were ninety five entrants but only six cars showed up on race day, three Benzs, two electrics, and the Duryea. The Duryea ran away with the race, at the eyewatering speed of 6.66 mph.