San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-30
At First Automobile Show
People Sat in Galleries for
Fear Of the Dangerous
Affairs Are a Con-
trolling Factor in Peoples
Lives Today.
(From Durant's Standard)


Starting with a snowy, although not
an suspicious public exhibition at
Madison Square Garden during the
week of November $40, 1900, the
automobile has in less than % years
grown to first place in the transpor-
tation requirements of the world.
But as one looks back at that first
public exhibition and contrasts it with
those held this year throughout the
country and compares the automobiles
of that vintage, feature by feature
with those of today, he is amused, yet
strongly impressed with the progress
the automobile has made and the deep
niche it has carved in the peoples
daily lives.
At that first public exhibition of
the automobile in America, there were
81 exhibitors of complete motor cars
and 20 of parts and accessories. AT
the Twenty-third Annual Show last
year, held in the Grand Central Pal
ace, New York City, there were 70
exhibitors of complete passenger cars
and 90 of accessories. Trucks, mo-
torcycles and other mechanical vehi-
cles were omitted in contrast to the
first show. .
Since 1900, when there were 49,
S24 motor cars in use, in this country,
the automobile industry, exclusive of
automobile bodies, parts and repairing,
has grown so until today it ranks
third in Importance and value of all
the industries of the United States.
Over 81, 45G, 649,954 is invested in
buildings and equipment alone in this
monster industry. The wholesale
value of last years output amounted
to the staggering figure of $2,55S, POI, :
$50. Of the 100000 odd motor
cars in the world today, over d.
10000 or about 81 per cent, are in
is another phase in which the growth
of the automobile has contributed to
the welfare and progress of the .coun-
try as whole, and that is in the
taxes paid into the various govern
ments.
Taxes Are Heavy.
Over $685., 901 ,209.J5 in taxes have
been contributed by the automobile to
the national and state governments, a
great deal of which have been used
to build and keep 2,S19,3S6 miles Of
excellent and improved highways.
Various demonstrations were given
Mt that first show, some on the Gar
den floor, others around the block &C.
cupied by the Garden, in an effort to
convince the skeptic public that the
automobile would run, that it was a
thing easily controlled, that it could
back IN as well as go forward, that
it could climb hills, that steering it
was simple thing, that its noise and
smoke were not dangerous.
A flat oval track was built in the
arena at the end of the Garden to
demonstrate its capabilities. While
these demonstrations were taking
place, visitors took care to sit in the
galleries, where they were safe and
free from the explosions the cars
made. Yet, there was little to be
feared Of those "horseless carriages, Z"
so called for the reason that, aside
from going under their own power,
they resembled the carriages in vogue
at that time. In fact. it was not until
few years later that a departure
was made in the style of design, into
a type of its own. Most of those
automobiles at that first exhibition
were single cylindered.
Although between 500 and 1000
people visited the show each day, it
was for the most part out of sheer
curiosity. Children were not trusted
near the "devil wagons" and cautious
parents left them either at home or
in the care of friends in the balconies
while they inspected the machines
more closely. OF all those who
visited the First Annual Show. only
a very few purchased cars and these
were only wealthy men who did so
for sporting reasons and purposes.
Looking back over the newspapers
and magazines Of that time, one is
further amused by their accounts of
the First Annual Show, the attitude
of the public and the visitors, and
their timidity and many predictions
of its future. One of the prominent
motor magazines of that time con-
tanned an interesting account of the
opening of the show, which is still
more interesting today because of its
contrast and the passing of "a years.
Was Dangerous Affair.""
To see and be seen, were the two
diverse causes of society's splendid
turnout. As whole though, the evil
dent purpose of those who came was
analytical. 1t wasn't there altogether
for parading, nor yet solely for en-
joyment. To see the new vehicle, TO
study il, to listen to its exhibitors ex-
plain its wonders and conveniences.
its cleanliness and safety, its speed and
power. were all primary causes for
the appearance of most of those who
came. of the three classes of auto