Although they didn’t create the first automobile in the world, Charles and Frank Duryea were the first to not only build one in the United States, but they also had the first automobile company in the United States. The Duryea Motor Wagon Company manufactured and sold automobiles. Based on these accomplishments alone, it can be argued that the Duryea brothers are the pioneers of the unofficial reform of transportation in America. The brothers were in the bicycle-making industry when their careers first started. At this point in time, the 1880s, the bicycle was one of the most popular means for getting around, in addition to the railroad of course. The elder brother, Charles Edgar Duryea, was known for being very inventive, and even created what he called a “sylph,” which was a bicycle that had the steering levers on the sides of the seat and a smaller wheel in front.1
Because of his creativity along with his niche for the bicycle industry, he naturally became interested in bigger and better things, such as the automobile. James Frank Duryea was also a very talented mechanic, so naturally the brothers worked very well together.
In 1886, at an Ohio state fair, Charles came across a gasoline engine. Being the inventor he was, Charles immediately got the idea to use that engine to power a carriage or wagon. It wasn’t until 1891, however, that Charles completed the design.2 Immediately after, Frank began turning that design into a reality. Keep in mind, this design was just that—a design, and most likely a prototype at that. While building the car, Frank found some flaws in the design, but he also came up with solutions to them while Charles was away. By 1893, the brothers had finished building and testing their automobile in Springfield, Massachusetts. The final product was just a buggy with an engine, but that was just the beginning.3 The brothers both claimed that they were the main contributors to the vehicle and some head-butting began.
By 1895, the brothers completed an improved version of the car. Many believe that Frank was the one who contributed the most for this automobile. On November 28 that same year in Chicago, Illinois, Jackson Park hosted America’s first-recorded automobile race. It was a 54-mile-long race that went from Chicago to Evanston, IL. There was a total of six cars participating in the snowy race. After roughly ten hours, the improved Duryea car came in first place with an average speed of 7.3 mph. In addition to bragging rights, the Duryea brothers also won the prize of $2,000.4
Some time later, near the end of 1896, the brothers established their own company and sold thirteen copies of the winning car. However, the company did not last very long. Surely the speculation about who contributed more was a factor, but there were also theories about Charles wanting to move the company to Detroit, but the brothers didn’t have the money to do so. However it happened, they split up and both went on to continue contributing to automobiles.
In 1904, Frank Duryea and Joshua Stevens established the Stevens-Duryea company manufacturing automobiles. Frank helped create the first six-cylinder car, and he also contributed to the limousine, which sold well into the 1920’s. Needless to say, Frank became very successful because of his career with automobiles. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1996. Charles, on the other hand, was not so successful. After numerous failed attempts in the automobile industry after the split with his brother, he ended up settling as an editor for Automobile Trade Journal.5 Even though it seems that they weren’t as successful as Henry Ford or Karl Benz, the brothers are truly the forgotten pioneers for automobiles in America.
- Richard P. Scharchburg, Carriages Without Horses: J. Frank Duryea and the Birth of the American Automobile Industry (Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 1993) 162. ↵
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013, s.v. “Charles E. Druyea and J. Frank Duryea.” ↵
- Frank Duryea, “America’s First Automobile Race, 1895,” American Eras: Primary Sources (Detroit, Gale 2013), 428. ↵
- Mary Bellis, “The Duryea Brothers of Automobile History,” Historical Car Manufacturers, September 6, 2017, https://www.thoughtco.com/duryea-brothers-automobile-history-1991577 . ↵
- Charles Carey, “Duryea Bros. Build 1st US Motorcar, Despite Themselves,” New England Historical Society, http://www.newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/duryea-brothers-build-1st-us-motorcar-despite/ . ↵
33 comments
Alexander Manibusan
The truth about inventions is that there is usually more than one pioneer. The Wright brothers, for instance, were not the only ones who invented the airplane, and the invention of the radio was invented by Nikola Tulsa, another inventor in Italy, and many others. Although Ford and Benz are big names, it’s important to know who the pioneers before them were so that their names may also have a place in history.
Enrique Segovia
I think this article successfully antagonized the common belief that Henry Ford created the first transportation car with his Model T. I had never Heard about the Duryea Brothers, but I learned a lot from these two brothers thanks to this article. Undoubtedly, they made an influential invention that would forever change the world and how people transported. It is interesting to know that they both depended on each other for the creation of this transportation, but after this, they went separate ways and failed to create other inventions as important as the one discussed in the article.
Christopher Hohman
Nice article. I had never heard of the brothers before. What they did was a great thing. automobiles were difficult to make, especially back then when technology was brand new. The brothers took an idea they had in their minds and transformed it into a reality. It is incredible to think that their car won a race going 7.3 miles per hour. That just goes to show us that technology has evolved and changed so much since the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Mariana Valadez
I am sure not many people know about these two brothers. Although they should be recognized because of they are a big contribution to modern day and society. It is sad that money came between these two brothers and it should never be like that within family. This article was very interesting and informative. I learned a lot of things that I was completely unaware of.
Mariah Garcia
This was, if not, one of the greatest creation of transportation in the United States. When I think of the first automobile in the United Stated I think of Henry Ford or Karl Benz. It is unfortunate that the Duryea brothers, Charles and Frank Duryea, are not given much or any praise for building the first automobile in the Unites States. But, after reading this article I am glad to now know the first men to have built the automobile which is used and relied on today.
Daniela Duran
This was a very interesting article! Although I had not heard about these two brothers, I think it is really important for everyone to know about them, because their contributions to our modern society are impressive! I am a little disappointed by the fact they split up because perhaps they would have been able to achieve even more success together. It is sad that so many times people get separated over money and credit worthiness. Nevertheless, their inventions clearly showed their great creativity and imagination! really enjoyed reading this article.
Adrian Cook
I thought it was Henry Ford who first created transportation but I guess not. This was a very informational article and enjoyed reading of the brothers journey until it was no more. It’s crazy to think of how far transportation has come today. Cars are now being putting out by the thousands every single day as to back then they were barely learning how to make them. Technology and industrialization has had a major impact on our world and it’s only going to get better.
Sienna Guerra
I honestly think it is unbelievable to think that the creation of transportation is an advancement that would help infrastructure and economic aspects of the United States. I find it very saddening that the two brothers did not and were not able to continue to invent together. Although this was the case, it was a very interesting and informative article that I enjoyed since I have disagreements with my sister but I would never split on an invention with her because of the bond that we have.
Clarissa Gonzalez
When thinking about an automobile business in the early times, I would think of Ford. Prior to this article, I had never heard of Duryea brothers. This gave a very well written view on the history and contributions that this duo had accomplished. The brief view on the problem of who contributed more was also very interesting! The actions and thoughts behind a business partnership is always something that should be touched upon.
William Rittenhouse
It sounded like they both contributed a great deal to the project with one brother creating the plans and designs and the other brother who built it. If one of the brothers wasn’t there I’m sure it would of taken a lot longer to achieve these accomplishment. I always thought the model t was the first car, but then I remembered it’s the first production car ever made. I’m sure Henry Ford greatly appreciated the work done by these brothers.