page_title: J. & D. Shearer
section_title: Other interests
hierarchical_section_title: J. & D. Shearer / Other interests
caption_attribution_description: English: 1898 Shearer steam car
context_page_description: J. & D. Shearer was an engineering and farm machinery manufacturer based in Mannum between 1882 and 1912, founded by John and David Shearer, and continued separately as John Shearer & Sons of Kilkenny, South Australia, and David Shearer & Co. of Mannum.
context_section_description: In 1898 David Shearer built Australia's first motor car. Steam powered, it had a horizontal boiler with a working pressure of 350 pounds per square inch (2,400 kPa) made by his nephew J. A. Shearer. The engine weighed 2 cwt, and developed 20 horsepower and in 1900 travelled from Mannum to Adelaide and return without problem and was shown at the exhibition of the South Australian Chamber of Manufactures.
  David Shearer served on the Mannum District Council for 40 years. He was a member of the institute committee, the hospital building committee, Progress Association, and Bowling Club and Rifle Club. He took a great interest in astronomy, and became a member of the British Astronomical Society in 1907. His private observatory built at his home in Mannum was fitted with a five-inch O.G. refractor.
caption: David Shearers steam powered car
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