On November 5, 1895, inventor George B. Selden received U.S. Patent No. 549,160 for a “road engine” powered by a lightweight internal combustion engine. Although he never mass-produced cars, Selden and his backers used the patent to seek royalties from emerging automobile manufacturers. The broad wording of the patent led to legal battles, particularly with the Ford Motor Company, which resisted paying fees. After years of litigation, courts limited Selden’s claims, weakening his control over the industry. The dispute illustrates how intellectual property law can influence the pace and direction of new technologies. It also reflects the chaotic early years of the American auto business.
