Cugnot, Nicolas-Joseph
Published: August 24, 2008, 3:43 pm
Updated: August 24, 2008, 3:43 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot (1725-1804), a French inventor who built what many consider to be world's first self-propelled mechanical vehicle or automobile. In 1769, Cugnot built the first of two steam-powered vehicles that were intended to haul artillery pieces for the French Army. The first was called "Fardier à vapeur" ("Steam wagon"). His vehicle was said to be able to pull four tons and travel at speeds of up to four kilometers per hour. The heavy vehicle had two wheels in the back and one in the front, which supported the steam boiler and was steered by a tiller.
Cugnot's Steam Wagon.
The vehicles were unwieldy and could not be kept in steam for more than 20 minutes. One of them crashed into a wall and the other overturned while trying to turn a corner, causing hot embers and boiling water to spill everywhere. Due to these failures, the French government withdrew funding, putting an end to Cugnot's efforts.
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Cugnot, Nicolas-Joseph". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 24, 2008; Last revised Date August 24, 2008; Retrieved May 24, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Cugnot,_Nicolas-Joseph>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot (1725-1804), a French inventor who built what many consider to be world's first self-propelled mechanical vehicle or automobile. In 1769, Cugnot built the first of two steam-powered vehicles that were intended to haul artillery pieces for the French Army. The first was called "Fardier à vapeur" ("Steam wagon"). His vehicle was said to be able to pull four tons and travel at speeds of up to four kilometers per hour. The heavy vehicle had two wheels in the back and one in the front, which supported the steam boiler and was steered by a tiller.
Cugnot's Steam Wagon.
The vehicles were unwieldy and could not be kept in steam for more than 20 minutes. One of them crashed into a wall and the other overturned while trying to turn a corner, causing hot embers and boiling water to spill everywhere. Due to these failures, the French government withdrew funding, putting an end to Cugnot's efforts.
Further Reading
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