The Brass Era is an American term for the early period of automotive manufacturing, named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time for such features as lights and radiators. It is generally considered to encompass 1896 through 1915, a time when cars were often referred to as horseless carriages.
A Stanley Steamer racecar in 1903; in 1906, a similar Stanley Rocket set the world land speed record at 127.6 miles per hour (205.4 km/h) at Daytona Beach Road Course
Elsewhere in the world, this period would be considered by antique car enthusiasts to consist of the veteran (pre-1904), and Edwardian eras, although these terms are really not meaningful outside the former British Empire.
Early automakers turned to brass for their vehicles for both its looks and function, as it held up well against tarnishing and bad weather, though still requiring regular polishing to maintain its appearance.[1]
Though the automobile was invented a few years prior to the start of the Brass Era, the 20 years that make up this era represent the beginning of the automotive industry. It was a period of small-scale manufacturing, experimental designs, and alternative power systems. The middle of this period saw the introduction of Panhard et Levassor's Système Panhard, which was a front-engine, rear-drive design that became the industry standard for decades.[2]
Through this period, electric, gasoline, and steam propulsion power were the powertrains of choice, though gas-powered internal combustion engines were dominant by the end of this period. Various body styles were also in vogue at the time, including the high-wheel motor buggy (resembling the horse buggy of before 1900), runabouts, tonneaus, and other more expensive closed bodies.[3]
The vehicles most closely associated with the Brass Era were larger, more expensive luxury vehicles, such as those built by Packard, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Cadillac, and other premium manufacturers.
1915, the agreed-upon cutoff of the Brass Era, was the final year the Ford Model T was available with brass fitments. At this point the style had also begun to be considered outdated, and by the 1920s few if any vehicles continued to employ brass in their designs.
Technology
In the early part of this period, steam-car development had advanced, making steam cars some of the fastest road vehicles of their day.[4] Electric cars also held a market share throughout the era.
Transmissions and throttle controls were widely adopted, allowing a variety of cruising speeds, though vehicles generally still had discrete speed settings, rather than the infinitely variable system familiar in cars of later eras. Safety glass also made its debut, patented by John Wood in England in 1905,[7] but would not become standard equipment until 1926 on a Rickenbacker.[7] Angle steel took over from armored wood as the frame material of choice, and in 1912, Hupp pioneered the use of all-steel bodies,[8] joined in 1914 by Dodge.[7]
Lists of North American manufacturers of this era
Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly 1904 list
In January, 1904, Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly magazine catalogued the entire range of automobiles available to the mass market in the United States. This list included:
I have already indicated how the early "craze" for horseless carriages caused automobile plants to spring up like mushroom growths all over the country, just as hundreds of locomotive plants had sprung up in the early days of railroading. In both instances, however, the great majority faded out of the picture once the industry had become firmly established. As late as 1917, there were 127 different makes of American automobiles on the market, as compared with little more than a dozen in 1947 [i.e. at the time of this writing]. For the sake of the completeness of the present record, and in order to aid future scholars and research workers, I should like to give the list of American automobiles current thirty years ago [i.e., 1917]:
^Beaulieu, Jenna (2019-07-03). "What is the Brass Era?". Seal Cove Auto Museum. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
^Patrick, Author Sean (2015-03-24). "Theme : Benchmarks – Le Système Panhard". Driven To Write. Retrieved 2023-01-20. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
Devil-Wagon Days, by Dorothy V. Walters, the Wisconsin Magazine of History Vol. 30, September 1946, pp. 69–77
(mostly Model T)
Hispano-Suiza photos
Horseless Carriage Gazette
Vintage Auto Parts (has a brass section)
May 01, 2023
brass, brass, american, term, early, period, automotive, manufacturing, named, prominent, brass, fittings, used, during, this, time, such, features, lights, radiators, generally, considered, encompass, 1896, through, 1915, time, when, cars, were, often, referr. The Brass Era is an American term for the early period of automotive manufacturing named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time for such features as lights and radiators It is generally considered to encompass 1896 through 1915 a time when cars were often referred to as horseless carriages 1905 Jackson Model C A Royal Tourist model US Army vehicle circa 1906 The vehicle was the conveyance of General Frederick Funston leftmost figure in the back seat A 1911 K R I T advertisement A Stanley Steamer racecar in 1903 in 1906 a similar Stanley Rocket set the world land speed record at 127 6 miles per hour 205 4 km h at Daytona Beach Road Course Elsewhere in the world this period would be considered by antique car enthusiasts to consist of the veteran pre 1904 and Edwardian eras although these terms are really not meaningful outside the former British Empire Contents 1 Overview 2 Technology 3 Lists of North American manufacturers of this era 3 1 Frank Leslie s Popular Monthly 1904 list 3 2 Fred H Colvin s list as of 1917 3 3 Other North American makes 4 See also 5 References 6 Bibliography 7 External linksOverview EditEarly automakers turned to brass for their vehicles for both its looks and function as it held up well against tarnishing and bad weather though still requiring regular polishing to maintain its appearance 1 Though the automobile was invented a few years prior to the start of the Brass Era the 20 years that make up this era represent the beginning of the automotive industry It was a period of small scale manufacturing experimental designs and alternative power systems The middle of this period saw the introduction of Panhard et Levassor s Systeme Panhard which was a front engine rear drive design that became the industry standard for decades 2 Through this period electric gasoline and steam propulsion power were the powertrains of choice though gas powered internal combustion engines were dominant by the end of this period Various body styles were also in vogue at the time including the high wheel motor buggy resembling the horse buggy of before 1900 runabouts tonneaus and other more expensive closed bodies 3 The vehicles most closely associated with the Brass Era were larger more expensive luxury vehicles such as those built by Packard Peerless Pierce Arrow Cadillac and other premium manufacturers 1915 the agreed upon cutoff of the Brass Era was the final year the Ford Model T was available with brass fitments At this point the style had also begun to be considered outdated and by the 1920s few if any vehicles continued to employ brass in their designs Technology EditIn the early part of this period steam car development had advanced making steam cars some of the fastest road vehicles of their day 4 Electric cars also held a market share throughout the era Development of automotive technology was rapid due in part to hundreds of small manufacturers competing to gain the world s attention Key developments included the electric ignition system by dynamotor on the Arnold in 1898 5 though Robert Bosch 1903 tends to get the credit independent suspension actually conceived by Bollee in 1873 5 and four wheel brakes by the Arrol Johnston Company of Scotland in 1909 6 Leaf springs were widely used for suspension though many other systems were still in use Transmissions and throttle controls were widely adopted allowing a variety of cruising speeds though vehicles generally still had discrete speed settings rather than the infinitely variable system familiar in cars of later eras Safety glass also made its debut patented by John Wood in England in 1905 7 but would not become standard equipment until 1926 on a Rickenbacker 7 Angle steel took over from armored wood as the frame material of choice and in 1912 Hupp pioneered the use of all steel bodies 8 joined in 1914 by Dodge 7 Lists of North American manufacturers of this era EditFrank Leslie s Popular Monthly 1904 list Edit In January 1904 Frank Leslie s Popular Monthly magazine catalogued the entire range of automobiles available to the mass market in the United States This list included American Darracq Automobile Company New York New York Apperson Brothers Automobile Company Kokomo Indiana Auburn Automobile Company Auburn Indiana Autocar Company Ardmore Pennsylvania Automobile Exchange and Storage Company New York New York Baker Motor Vehicle Company Cleveland Ohio Berg Automobile Company New York New York Buffalo Electric Carriage Company Buffalo New York Cadillac Automobile Company Detroit Michigan Central Automobile Company New York New York Clodio and Widmayer New York New York Columbus Motor Vehicle Company Columbus Ohio B V Covert and Company Lockport New York Crest Manufacturing Company Cambridge Massachusetts Daimler Manufacturing Company Long Island City New York Duryea Power Company Reading Pennsylvania Electric Vehicle Company Hartford Connecticut Eisenhuth Horseless Vehicle Company Middletown Connecticut Elmore Manufacturing Company Clyde Ohio Ford Motor Company Detroit Michigan Societe Franco Americaine d Automobiles New York New York Franklin Automobile Company Syracuse New York Fredonia Manufacturing Company Youngstown Ohio Grout Brothers Orange Massachusetts Haynes Apperson Company Kokomo Indiana Holley Motor Car Company Bradford Pennsylvania Thos B Jeffery Company Kenosha Wisconsin Kirk Manufacturing Company Toledo Ohio Knox Automobile Company Springfield Massachusetts Locomobile Company of America Bridgeport Connecticut National Motor Vehicle Company Indianapolis Indiana National Sewing Machine Company Belvidere Illinois Northern Manufacturing Company Detroit Michigan Olds Motor Works Detroit Michigan Packard Motor Car Company Detroit Michigan Panhard Levassor Paris France Peerless Motor Car Company Cleveland Ohio Phelps Motor Vehicle Company Stoneham Massachusetts George N Pierce Company Buffalo New York Pope Robinson Company Hyde Park Massachusetts Pope Toledo Company Toledo Ohio Pope Waverly Company Indianapolis Indiana Premier Motor Manufacturing Company Indianapolis Indiana Renault New York New York Rochet Schneider New York New York Royal Motor Car Company Cleveland Ohio Sandusky Automobile Company Sandusky Ohio K A Skinner Boston Massachusetts Smith and Mabley New York New York St Louis Motor Carriage Company St Louis Missouri Standard Automobile Company of New York New York New York Stanley Motor Carriage Company Newton Massachusetts F B Stearns Company Cleveland Ohio J Stevens Arms and Tool Company Chicopee Falls Massachusetts Studebaker Brothers Company South Bend Indiana E R Thomas Motor Company Buffalo New York Waltham Manufacturing Company Waltham Massachusetts White Sewing Machine Company Cleveland Ohio Wilson Automobile Manufacturing Company Wilson New York Winton Motor Carriage Company Cleveland Ohio Woods Motor Vehicle Company Chicago Illinois Fred H Colvin s list as of 1917 Edit Fred H Colvin who covered the American automotive industry for many years as a journalist and editor of trade journals wrote in his memoir 1947 about his experiences 9 I have already indicated how the early craze for horseless carriages caused automobile plants to spring up like mushroom growths all over the country just as hundreds of locomotive plants had sprung up in the early days of railroading In both instances however the great majority faded out of the picture once the industry had become firmly established As late as 1917 there were 127 different makes of American automobiles on the market as compared with little more than a dozen in 1947 i e at the time of this writing For the sake of the completeness of the present record and in order to aid future scholars and research workers I should like to give the list of American automobiles current thirty years ago i e 1917 Abbott Detroit Allen American Six Anderson Apperson Arbenz Auburn Austin Bell Biddle Brewster Bour Davis Briscoe Buick Cadillac Cameron Case Chalmers Chandler Chevrolet Cole Crow Elkhart Daniels Davis Detroiter Dispatch Dixie Flyer Doble Dodge Dorris Dort Drexel Elcar Elgin Emerson Empire Enger Fiat Ford Fostoria Franklin F R P Glide Grant Hackett H A L Halladay Harroun Harvard Haynes Hollier Hudson Hupmobile Inter State Jackson Jeffery Jordan King Kissel Kline Laurel Lenox Lexington Liberty Locomobile Lozier Luverne Madison Maibohm Majestic Marion Handley Marmon Maxwell McFarlan Mecca Mercer Metz Mitchell Moline Knight Monarch Monitor Monroe Moon Morse Murray National Nelson Oakland Oldsmobile Owen Packard Paige Partin Palmer Paterson Pathfinder Peerless Pierce Arrow Pilot Premier Princess Pullman Regal Republic Reo Richmond Roamer Ross Saxon Scripps Booth Spaulding Simplex Singer Standard Stanley Steamer Stearns Knight Stephens Stewart Studebaker Stutz Sun Velie Westcott White Willys Knight Winton and Yale A great many more names including Brush Duryea Alco Speedwell and Waverly had already disappeared from the scene by 1917 Other North American makes Edit Alter Plymouth Michigan American Locomotive Company Schenectady New York Arrow Dayton Ohio Brockville Atlas Brockville Ontario Cino Cincinnati Ohio Colburn Denver Colorado Hamilton Motors Company Plymouth Michigan James Cunningham Son amp Company Rochester New York K R I T Motor Car Company Detroit Michigan Lambert Anderson Indiana Marathon Nashville Tennessee Maritime Six Saint John New Brunswick McLaughlin Oshawa Ontario Model Peru Indiana Overland Toledo Ohio Stoddard Dayton Dayton Ohio Tincher Chicago Illinois Union Union City Indiana See also EditAntique car Steam car Classic car Cyclecar History of the automobile Most expensive cars sold in auction Vintage carReferences Edit Beaulieu Jenna 2019 07 03 What is the Brass Era Seal Cove Auto Museum Retrieved 2023 01 20 Patrick Author Sean 2015 03 24 Theme Benchmarks Le Systeme Panhard Driven To Write Retrieved 2023 01 20 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a first has generic name help Georgano 1985 p 65 Stanley steamers amongst fastest road vehicles around 1906 1911 Docstoc com Archived from the original on 2011 03 11 Retrieved 2010 12 05 a b Csere 1988 p 61 Georgano 1985 p 27 a b c Csere 1988 p 62 Csere 1988 p 63 Colvin 1947 pp 124 125 Bibliography EditColvin Fred H 1947 Sixty Years with Men and Machines New York and London McGraw Hill LCCN 47003762 Available as a reprint from Lindsay Publications ISBN 978 0 917914 86 7 Foreword by Ralph Flanders Csere Csaba January 1988 10 Best Engineering Breakthroughs Car and Driver vol 33 no 7 Georgano G N 1985 Cars 1886 1930 New York Beekman House distributed by Crown ISBN 0 517 48073 5 External links EditBrassauto com Cars of Canada Devil Wagon Days by Dorothy V Walters the Wisconsin Magazine of History Vol 30 September 1946 pp 69 77 Frontenac Motors mostly Model T Hispano Suiza photos Horseless Carriage Gazette Vintage Auto Parts has a brass section Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brass Era car amp oldid 1140199960, 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