A Decade of Transformations.

When the 1920s began, the Stanley Company of Newton, Massachusetts, was still manufacturing its Stanley steamers. During the decade the internal-combustion, gasoline-powered car completed its triumph over the efficient but slow-starting steam-powered car. A steam engine, which operates by external combustion, is basically simpler than an internal- combustion engine. In the steam engine a liquid-fueled fire is used to boil water, and the resulting steam drives a turbine that powers the car. Its simplicity was partially negated by the fact that pumps had to be serviced, but what really killed the steam car was the fact that it took at least twenty minutes to build up a head of steam and get going. Although the time required to start it was reduced, the steam car was injured by gossip — such as false reports of boiler explosions. No Stanley or White steamer...