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Shouts of, “Get a horse!” often fell on the ears of early motorists as their mechanical marvels broke down to become the butt of jokes. In days when horses, and even men on bicycles could keep up, or even pass the machines on the open road, the taunt seemed to prove its point well. However, as inventors like Henry Ford made improvements, those shouts began to be heard less often.
Is the automobile just an expensive toy? Is it something that a grown man should be ashamed of wasting his time with? Its just not the kind of thing a sane person wouldn’t be caught dead in. What’s the world coming to these days? Something drastic needs to be done to convince people that the automobile is practical and safe.
A cross country race is proposed, and in 1905 the Glidden Tour is arranged. The 900 mile course saw 33 participants start, and it seemed to demonstrate not only the bravery of the drivers but the roadworthiness of the vehicles. Listen in for the details of the hazards of the race including the outrageous speed limit of 5 MPH. The driver of the Pierce Arrow was victor over the 28 racers who finished. Have they proved their point of the practical use of the automobile? What ever became of Mr Glidden? For that matter, whatever became of the Pierce Arrow?
