George Washington granted U
Friday 25th April 1794 George Washington granted U.S. letters patent to John J. Staples, Jr., of New York, for what the inventor described as a “Carriage to be Propelled by the Mechanic Powers” (not steam power); text of the patent shows that the specifications were vague, invention wholly impractical.
A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go in one direction only, or “One Way,” as the signs said
Saturday 17th December 1791 A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go in one direction only, or “One Way,” as the signs said.
The Maryland House of Delegates (US) issued a patent to Oliver Evans for his high pressure steam engine
Saturday 19th May 1787 The Maryland House of Delegates (US) issued a patent to Oliver Evans for his high pressure steam engine. He continued to work on this for the next several years, envisioning both a stationary engine for industrial purposes and an engine for land and water transport. In 1801 he built in Philadelphia…
The Major of London laid the foundation stone of the Maidenhead Bridge over the River Thames
Monday 19th October 1772 The Major of London laid the foundation stone of the Maidenhead Bridge over the River Thames. Designed by Robert Taylor, the bridge cost £19,000. Tolls were abolished on 31st October 1903 and at midnight a crowd tore down the toll gate and threw it into the river.
Chief Pontiac (48 – 49), legendary Indian leader and namesake of the General Motors marque, was murdered at Cahokia, Illinois, US
Thursday 20th April 1769 Chief Pontiac (48 – 49), legendary Indian leader and namesake of the General Motors marque, was murdered at Cahokia, Illinois, US. The Odawa war chief who became noted for his role in Pontiac’s War (1763–1766), an American Indian struggle against British military occupation of the Great Lakes region and named for…
Driving on the right was introduced in Russia by the decree of Empress Elisaveta Petrovna
Saturday 5th February 1752 Driving on the right was introduced in Russia by the decree of Empress Elisaveta Petrovna.
Internal combustion engine pioneer Christiaan Huygens died in the Hague, the Netherlands, at the age of 66
Friday 8th July 1695 Internal combustion engine pioneer Christiaan Huygens died in the Hague, the Netherlands, at the age of 66. Working as an astronomer, physicist, mathematician and inventor, Huygens made a number of important contributions to science. Huygens not only proposed the earliest theory about the nature of light, he also put optics to…
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, North American explorer and namesake of the 1927-40 General Motors automobile, was murdered in present-day Texas, US
Wednesday 19th March 1687 René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, North American explorer and namesake of the 1927-40 General Motors automobile, was murdered in present-day Texas, US.
The first one-way streets were established in London
Wednesday 23rd August 1617 The first one-way streets were established in London. An Act of Common Council was passed to regulate the “disorder and rude behaviour of Carmen, Draymen and others using Cartes.” Seventeen narrow and congested lanes were specified. They ran into Thames Street, including Pudding Lane (where the Great Fire of London began…
The Memminger Chronicle (Germany) mentioned the trial of a carriage “without horse, oxen or people, yet the man who built it sat in it”, an event often cited as the first reference of a self-propelled vehicle
Saturday 2nd January 1447 The Memminger Chronicle (Germany) mentioned the trial of a carriage “without horse, oxen or people, yet the man who built it sat in it”, an event often cited as the first reference of a self-propelled vehicle.