June 4, 1896
Henry Ford introduced his quadricycle.
Ford and his assistant Jim Bishop prepared to drive Ford’s quadricycle. The light and small horseless carriage, which drew heavily on Ford’s experience as a bicycle maker, was too wide for the shed door where it had been constructed. Ford took an axe and knocked out enough bricks to allow the vehicle to pass into early morning darkness. With Bishop riding ahead on his bicycle, Ford started the engine, took hold of the steering lever and moved down the cobblestone alley onto Detroit’s Washington Boulevard. After a short ride, the two returned to Ford’s home on Bagley Avenue where Clara Ford served the men breakfast.
Thank you Michigan Start Pages for this glimpse into our past. See more here.