Phelps Tractor

In 1901, the horse-pulled buggy or wagon ruled the road, there were only a few hundred cars in the US. People were understandably nervous about the new noisy and smelly gasoline engine.

 I.J. Phelps thought he had the answer. He would make and sell a steam engine powered 3 wheel tractor that would replace the horse, after all, people were used to steam engines. It would couple onto any horsedrawn vehicle. It would be controlled with the very familiar-to-horse-people reins system, starting, steering and stopping all controlled with two ropes. Supposedly the steam engine operated effortlessly, fire was fed fuel automatically and the rear half of the tractor contained enough water for half a days running.

 The tractor was intended to replace the front wheels on a carriage (above) or to tow the entire cart (below).

 Oddly, people did not embrace the invention and apparently few were sold.