On August 22, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt rode in a Columbia electric car in Hartford, Connecticut, becoming the first sitting president to appear in public in an automobile. The event symbolized the growing importance of cars in American life. Roosevelt’s ride drew crowds and press attention, as automobiles were still relatively new. The moment helped normalize the idea of motor vehicles as practical transportation rather than just mechanical curiosities. As automobiles spread, they reshaped American cities, industries, and daily routines. The president’s ride is often cited as an early example of the intersection between politics and technology.
