In the midst of the bustling twentieth century, where horse-drawn carriages still graced the streets and the roar of petrol engines was yet to dominate the urban soundscape, there emerged a revolution that promised a quieter, smoother, and more elegant mode of transport – the electric car. The year was 1917, and in the heart of Detroit, the Anderson Electric Car Co gave birth to a marvel, the Detroit Electric brougham, a testament to the ingenuity and foresight of its time.
This magnificent creation found its home in the hands of Sydney solicitor Arthur Allen, becoming an integral part of his family’s life for over three decades. Its journey didn’t end there; in 1947, it found a new sanctuary at the Museum, a living relic of an era when electric cars were not just a novelty but a thriving reality on the roads.
Rewind a few years, and electric cars were all the rage, especially in Australia during the First World War. The soaring petrol prices led to a surge in electric car popularity, so much so that the Sydney City Council established special charging stations, envisioning a future where the noisy, maintenance-heavy petrol cars would become obsolete relics of the past. The Detroit Electric, with its silent grace and ease of operation, stood at the forefront of this revolution.
What set the Detroit Electric apart was not just its functionality but its perception as a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Women, in particular, found solace in its quiet demeanor and the absence of the daunting starter handle. It became a statement of elegance, a choice for shopping sprees and social calls, ferrying unescorted women in style and comfort. The advertising of the time portrayed it as the epitome of “elegant comfort and independent privacy” – a society’s town car, a chariot of sophistication.
Even the automobile magnate Henry Ford, known for his mass production of petrol cars, succumbed to the allure of the Detroit Electric. In 1908, he acquired a Model C Coupe Detroit Electric for his wife Clara, marking the beginning of a love affair with this silent marvel. Clara’s car even had a specially crafted baby seat for their son Edsel, showcasing the adaptability and practicality of electric cars.
Yet, despite the promise and popularity, the electric car faced hurdles. Heavy batteries, limited range, and lower speeds posed challenges that the industry struggled to overcome. The dream of an all-electric future, where petrol engines were mere relics of the past, slowly faded away. The world, it seemed, was not quite ready for the electric revolution.
Fast forward to the present, and the Detroit Electric brougham stands as a cherished object, a reminder of a time when electric cars ruled the roads, promising a future that, although delayed, eventually came to fruition. As we stand amidst the remarkable objects in the 1001 exhibition, it’s hard for me not to fall in love with this car, a symbol of innovation, elegance, and a future that dared to be different. The Detroit Electric car, in all its silent glory, whispers the tales of a bygone era, reminding us that sometimes, the future we imagine takes a bit longer to arrive, but when it does, it’s nothing short of remarkable.
The Detroit Electric car is currently on display in the 1001 Remarkable Objects exhibition. Learn more here.
Karen Griffiths
Volunteer Program Officer