January 17 is Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. But why bring that up in an automotive-related blog? Well, have you considered Franklin’s contribution to the automobile?

Franklin died in 1788. That was long before Ford, General Motors or Chrysler brought automobiles to America’s roadways. Even in Franklin’s time, there was the odd steam-powered wagon, but these were hardly comparable to what we consider modern automobiles – automobiles with internal combustion engines.

This isn’t to suggest that Franklin invented the internal combustion engine. But he did contribute to it.

In 1870, Siegried Marcus, an Austrian, invented what is considered the first gasoline powered automobile. He was followed by Karl Benz, of Mannheim, Germany, who created his first car in 1885.

In America, George Selden sought a patent for his engine and four-wheeled vehicle in 1879. The Duryea brothers, Charles and Frank, founded the Duryea Motor Wagon Company in 1893. And in 1901, Ransom Olds founded the Oldsmobile Motor Vehicle Company.

The second successful American auto manufacturing company was Rambler, followed in close order by Ford and Cadillac. 

Chevrolet was founded in 1911. Pontiac was founded in 1925, and closed down in 2010. Buick, however, was founded in 1899 and is still producing vehicles as part of the General Motors family today.

Chrysler was founded by Walter Chrysler in 1925, as well, though it was reconstituted from Maxwell Motor Company. Chrysler’s Plymouth brand was launched in 1928 and, like Pontiac, was shut down (in 2001). Dodge was founded in 1900 and was acquired by Chrysler in 1928.

Over the years, numerous auto manufacturers have come and gone. And the auto industry has blossomed across the seas, as well.

Today, there are new competitors in the automotive world, along with many of the long-standing companies that have built autos for decades and more. The newer entries include Genesis Motors. It also includes Tesla, which brings us to the introduction of electric cars in the marketplace. It also brings us back to Franklin.

Franklin didn’t invent electricity. What he did do was prove that electricity and lightning are the same source of energy. He built a battery and we don’t have to think about it long to see the application of that development figures in the operation of automobiles, whether the internal combustion variety or electric cars.

Franklin’s contributions led to the practical use and storage of electricity. We would probably still rely on steam-powered engines with him.