Stanley steamer

automobile

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July 14, 2026

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The Stanley Steamer was a steam-powered automobile manufactured by the Stanley Motor Company, founded by twin brothers Francis Edgar and Freelan O. Stanley. They began developing their steam cars in 1897 and continued production into the 1920s.1

Stanley Steamers were known for their speed, frequently outperforming larger gasoline-powered cars in racing events. In 1906, a Stanley Steamer set a world record by covering a mile in 28.2 seconds, exceeding 127 miles per hour. The Stanley brothers' innovation contributed significantly to the early history of the automobile, particularly in the era of steam propulsion.12

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automobile
The age of steam
…Stanley brothers—one of whose “steamers” took the world speed record at 127.66 miles (205.45 km) per hour in 1906. The car designed by them and sold as the Locomobile became the first commercially successful American-made automobile (about 1,000 were built in 1900). It is estimated that in the early…
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…Stanley brothers—one of whose “steamers” took the world speed record at 127.66 miles (205.45 km) per hour in 1906. The car designed by them and sold as the Locomobile became the first commercially successful American-made automobile (about 1,000 were built in 1900). It is estimated that in the early…
Read More