123 Years Ago, Roosevelt Discovered the Electric Car

On August 22, 1902, a discreet yet highly symbolic ride entered the history of the automobile in the United States.

On that day, President Theodore Roosevelt became the first sitting American president to ride in an automobile. A gesture that might have seemed trivial, but in reality marked the entry of the presidential office into the modern era.

The scene takes place in Hartford, Connecticut. In front of nearly 20,000 people gathered for the occasion, Roosevelt climbs into a Columbia Electric Victoria, an elegant electric car manufactured by the local company Pope Manufacturing. The image is powerful: a head of state choosing to publicly display himself in a machine still perceived as a curiosity reserved for the wealthy or the eccentric.

The Automobile Enters History

At that time, the automobile was far from being established in daily life. Roads were still designed for horses, infrastructure was lacking, and the internal combustion engine had yet to prove its superiority over the electric or steam engines. However, Roosevelt already understood that these vehicles represented much more than a passing fad. By getting on board, he cast a presidential spotlight on an industry still in its infancy, poised to revolutionize the world.

This moment also illustrates Roosevelt’s personality. An energetic reformer, passionate about technical progress and modernity, he did not hesitate to take symbolic risks. In 1902, the United States was undergoing a major industrial and urban transformation. The automobile became a tool of economic power, but also an instrument of prestige. For a president to show interest in it so early displayed his ability to anticipate significant changes.

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In hindsight, this ride in the Columbia Electric Victoria takes on prophetic significance. In just a few decades, the automobile would dominate the planet, reshape cities, and forge industrial empires. By paving the way, Roosevelt left an unexpected mark on automotive history.

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