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Harry's 1911 Stafford, Harry S Truman National Historic Site, 2015.
Summary
Date unknown: In 1914, Harry Truman bought a used 1911 Stafford. There were only about three hundred made. They sold for $2,350 new, which was quite a lot of money; Harry paid $650 for his auto. In the first month he reported to Bess, "I have been endeavoring to learn to push an auto." His brother told him to sell the car and buy cows instead. He did get the hang of it eventually, though. The Stafford gave him a freedom he'd never known possible. Specifically, it allowed him to drive to Independence and see Bess much more often than he would ever have been able to on the train. It wasn't long before he wrote her, "I am getting so I don't object to driving like I did to begin with. Getting sort of used to it I suppose - five thousand miles in three months is moving around somewhat..."
The automobile was first invented and perfected in Germany and France in the late 1890s. Americans quickly came to dominate the automotive industry after WWI. Throughout this initial era, the development of automotive technology was rapid. Hundreds of small manufacturers competing to gain the world's attention. Key developments included the electric ignition system, independent suspension, and four-wheel brakes. Transmissions and throttle controls were widely adopted and safety glass also made its debut. Henry Ford perfected mass-production techniques, and Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler emerged as the “Big Three” auto companies by the 1920s. Car manufacturers received enormous orders from the military during World War II, and afterward automobile production in the United States, Europe, and Japan soared.
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