The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was originally designed to be powered by a “free piston” engine. What is a free piston?
- A piston that is directly connected to a crankshaft
- A piston that is not directly connected to a crankshaft
- A piston that is made of free-floating metal
- A piston that is lighter than a normal piston
Correct Answer: A piston that is not directly connected to a crankshaft
Correct Answer Explanation: A free piston is a piston that is not directly connected to a crankshaft. This allows the piston to move freely within the cylinder, which can improve efficiency and reduce friction. The Duryea brothers’ first engine used a free piston design, but it proved to be problematic and was ultimately abandoned.
In 1893, the Duryea brothers were experimenting with different types of ignition systems for their automobile engine. Which of these was NOT an ignition system used at the time?
- Hot tube ignition
- Electric ignition
- Spark plug ignition
- Friction ignition
Correct Answer: Friction ignition
Correct Answer Explanation: Friction ignition was not a type of ignition system used in the 1890s, as it was an outdated method. Hot tube ignition and electric ignition were both common methods used to ignite the fuel mixture in early automobile engines.
The Duryea brothers’ first car had a unique transmission system. What type of transmission was it?
- Geared transmission
- Friction transmission
- Belt transmission
- Automatic transmission
Correct Answer: Friction transmission
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first car had a friction transmission, which used friction between two surfaces to transfer power. This type of transmission was common in early automobiles, but it was often unreliable and inefficient.
The Duryea brothers’ first car was not equipped with brakes. How did they stop their car?
- By using the engine’s compression to slow the car
- By using the car’s wheels to skid on the ground
- By using a combination of the engine and the wheels to slow the car
- By using a lever to apply a friction brake on the wheels
Correct Answer: By using the engine’s compression to slow the car
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first car did not have brakes. To slow down the car, the driver would have to use the engine’s compression to slow the car down. This method was less effective and dangerous, and it required the driver to be very careful when driving.
What was the name of the first successful gasoline-powered automobile built in America?
- The Duryea Automobile
- The Ford Model T
- The Stanley Steamer
- The Cadillac Automobile
Correct Answer: The Duryea Automobile
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea Automobile was the first successful gasoline-powered automobile built in America. It was built by Charles and Frank Duryea in 1893, and it was a major milestone in the development of the automobile.
Where were the Duryea brothers’ first successful gasoline-powered automobile built?
- Detroit, Michigan
- Springfield, Massachusetts
- New York City, New York
- Chicago, Illinois
Correct Answer: Springfield, Massachusetts
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first successful gasoline-powered automobile was built in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893.
The Duryea brothers had many struggles with their first automobile, including:
- engine design
- transmission
- traction
- all of the above
Correct Answer: all of the above
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers had many struggles with their first automobile. These struggles included engine design, transmission, and traction. The brothers worked tirelessly to overcome these challenges and eventually built a successful gasoline-powered automobile.
The Duryea brothers’ first automobile had a limited range. What was its approximate range?
- 100 miles
- 50 miles
- 20 miles
- 8 hours on 2 gallons of gas
Correct Answer: 8 hours on 2 gallons of gas
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile had a limited range. It could only run for about eight hours on two gallons of gasoline. This was a significant limitation of early automobiles.
The Duryea brothers’ first automobile used a unique system for steering. What was it?
- A steering wheel
- A tiller
- A lever
- A combination of tiller and lever
Correct Answer: A tiller
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile used a tiller for steering. This was a common type of steering in early automobiles. The Duryea brothers’ first automobile did not have a steering wheel, as it was a common design to use a tiller for steering at the time.
How many cylinders did the Duryea’s first successful engine have?
- 2
- 4
- 6
- 8
Correct Answer: 1
Correct Answer Explanation: Frank Duryea’s first successful engine was a 4-horsepower, single-cylinder engine.
The Duryea brothers’ first automobile had a top speed of approximately 15 miles per hour. What was the average speed of a horse-drawn carriage in the late 1800s?
- 10 miles per hour
- 5 miles per hour
- 20 miles per hour
- 30 miles per hour
Correct Answer: 5 miles per hour
Correct Answer Explanation: The average speed of a horse-drawn carriage in the late 1800s was about 5 miles per hour. This means that the Duryea brothers’ first automobile was significantly faster than a horse-drawn carriage.
What material was the body of the Duryea brothers’ first automobile made from?
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Wood
- Plastic
Correct Answer: Wood
Correct Answer Explanation: The body of the Duryea brothers’ first automobile was made from wood. This was common for cars at the time and was a much lighter material than steel, which was used in cars later on.
The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was built on a used carriage. What was the name of this carriage?
- A phaeton
- A wagon
- A buggy
- A surrey
Correct Answer: A phaeton
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was built on a used ladies’ phaeton.
What company did Charles Duryea later start?
- Duryea Motor Wagon Company
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors
- Chrysler
Correct Answer: Duryea Motor Wagon Company
Correct Answer Explanation: Charles Duryea later started the Duryea Motor Wagon Company to commercially produce automobiles.
What was the main source of funding for the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- A government grant
- A private investor
- A bank loan
- The Duryea brothers’ personal savings
Correct Answer: A private investor
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was funded by a private investor, Erwin F. Markham.
What was the approximate weight of the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- 1000 pounds
- 500 pounds
- 750 pounds
- 250 pounds
Correct Answer: 750 pounds
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile weighed approximately 750 pounds. This was relatively light for a motor vehicle of its time.
What year was the Duryea brothers’ first automobile sold?
- 1893
- 1896
- 1901
- 1920
Correct Answer: 1920
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was sold in 1920 to Inglis M. Uppercu, who later presented it to the U.S. National Museum.
The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was a technological marvel for its time. How did their automobile help advance the development of the automobile in the United States?
- It helped to convince other inventors and engineers that the automobile was a viable form of transportation.
- It helped to establish a market for automobiles in the United States.
- It helped to inspire other inventors and engineers to create their own automobiles.
- All of the above.
Correct Answer: All of the above.
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was a technological marvel for its time and helped advance the development of the automobile in the United States in many ways. It helped to convince other inventors and engineers that the automobile was a viable form of transportation. It also helped to establish a market for automobiles in the United States and inspire other inventors and engineers to create their own automobiles.
What type of battery was used to power the ignition system of the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- Lead-acid batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Nickel-cadmium batteries
- Mercury batteries
Correct Answer: Lead-acid batteries
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was powered by six no. 2 Samson batteries. These were lead-acid batteries which were commonly used in the late 1800s.
What type of metal was used in the copper water jacket that cooled the engine of the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Copper
- Brass
Correct Answer: Copper
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile used a copper water jacket to cool the engine. This was a common method of cooling engines at the time.
What was the approximate capacity of the gasoline tank in the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- 1 gallon
- 2 gallons
- 3 gallons
- 4 gallons
Correct Answer: 2 gallons
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile had a small gasoline tank that held approximately two gallons of gasoline. This was a common size for gasoline tanks in early automobiles.
What was the name of the automobile race that the Duryea brothers entered in 1895?
- The Chicago Times-Herald race
- The Indianapolis 500
- The Vanderbilt Cup
- The Grand Prix of Monaco
Correct Answer: The Chicago Times-Herald race
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers entered their second automobile in the Chicago Times-Herald race in 1895, and won, which was a major victory for the Duryea brothers.
The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was initially built in a shop on the second floor of a building. What were the approximate dimensions of this shop?
- 35 x 85 feet
- 50 x 100 feet
- 20 x 40 feet
- 10 x 20 feet
Correct Answer: 35 x 85 feet
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was initially built in a shop on the second floor of a building that was approximately 35 × 85 feet in size. This illustrates the limited resources that the brothers had to work with.
What was the approximate price of the used ladies’ phaeton that the Duryea brothers used as the base for their first automobile?
- $50
- $70
- $100
- $150
Correct Answer: $70
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers built their first automobile on a used ladies’ phaeton that cost $70. This illustrates the resourcefulness of the brothers and their ability to make do with limited resources.
What was the approximate amount of money that Erwin F. Markham invested in the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- $500
- $1000
- $1500
- $2000
Correct Answer: $1000
Correct Answer Explanation: Erwin F. Markham invested $1000 in the Duryea brothers’ first automobile. This financial support was crucial to the project’s success.
What was the approximate amount of Frank Duryea’s raise when he began working on the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- 5%
- 10%
- 15%
- 20%
Correct Answer: 10%
Correct Answer Explanation: Frank Duryea received a 10% raise when he began working on the Duryea brothers’ first automobile. This shows the value that the brothers placed on his skills and experience.
What was the approximate total mileage of the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- Less than 100 miles
- Less than 500 miles
- Less than 1000 miles
- Less than 2000 miles
Correct Answer: Less than 100 miles
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile had a total mileage of less than 100 miles. This illustrates that the car was primarily a prototype that was used for testing and development.
What color was the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- Black
- Red
- Blue
- Gray
Correct Answer: Gray
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile was painted a simple gray color. This illustrates the focus on functionality over aesthetics.
What type of transmission did the Duryea brothers’ second automobile have?
- Friction transmission
- Geared transmission
- Belt transmission
- Automatic transmission
Correct Answer: Geared transmission
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ second automobile, which was built in 1894, was equipped with a more reliable and efficient geared transmission, instead of the friction transmission used on their first automobile.
What was the approximate horsepower of the engine in the Duryea brothers’ first automobile?
- 1 horsepower
- 2 horsepower
- 4 horsepower
- 6 horsepower
Correct Answer: 2 horsepower
Correct Answer Explanation: The Duryea brothers’ first automobile had a two-horsepower engine. This was a relatively small engine for a motor vehicle, but it was sufficient to propel the car on level ground.