This episode of The Logbook, our History of Motorsports series, details the historical significance and background of the 1895 Horseless Carriage Contest held on Thanksgiving Day in Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Times Herald. It is often considered the first automobile race in America. David Schmidt, a director at the Society of Automotive Historians, will discuss the event's what, why, when, where, and who, delving into the conditions, entries, and outcomes. The event featured 80 entries, only 6 of which started, and 3 managed to finish, albeit with rule violations. The contest led to awards for innovation and performance. Noteworthy figures included Hieronymus Mueller, Charles B. King, and the developers of an electric vehicle named the Electrobat. The race is also contextualized within the broader backdrop of the era's technological advancements and the burgeoning automotive industry. Sponsors like the International Motor Racing Research Center, the Society of Automotive Historians, and others helped bring this historical presentation to life.

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00:00 The 1895 Horseless Carriage Contest Overview

00:37 Presenter Background: David Schmidt

01:21 Significance of the 1895 Race

02:53 Race Day Preparations and Challenges

07:10 The Thanksgiving Day Race

08:44 Post-Race Analysis and Awards

10:07 Impact and Legacy of the 1895 Race

10:43 Why the 1895 Race Was Held

11:29 The Role of the Chicago Times Herald

14:56 Rescheduling and Final Preparations

16:08 The Birth of American Auto Racing

16:28 Why Chicago?

18:18 The Bicycle Craze and Its Influence

19:44 Chicago: The Transportation Hub

20:30 Unsung Heroes of the Horseless Carriage

21:18 The Tragic Tale of Hieronymus Muller

22:06 Charles B. King: A Prodigious Inventor

23:36 The Electrobat: An Electric Pioneer

24:56 The Battle of Electric vs. Gasoline

26:23 Steinway's Automotive Adventure

27:34 Conclusion and Acknowledgements

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This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.