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The Selden Motor Vehicle Company was an early American manufacturer of automobiles. The company, founded in 1905, was based in Rochester, New York.

The Selden Motor Vehicle Company was named for inventor George B. Selden, whose 1877 design and 1879 patent application for a "horseless carriage" were significant milestones. Although Selden developed his engine by 1877, he filed for the patent in 1879, and due to numerous amendments, it was not granted until 1895.

George B. Selden and the Patent Controversy

George B. Selden, a patent attorney and inventor, filed the first U.S. patent for a combustion-powered automobile in 1879. His patent was finally issued on November 5, 1895, after 16 years of amendments and legal delays. Selden did not immediately begin automobile production but instead sold patent rights and charged royalties to automakers. This led to a series of patent infringement lawsuits, particularly against Henry Ford and other manufacturers.

Automobile Production

The Selden Motor Vehicle Company began producing automobiles in 1909. The first Selden car, designed by E.T. Birdsall, was a 30 hp four-cylinder model introduced in June 1907. These cars were priced in the range of $2,000 to $2,500. The company produced passenger cars until 1912.

Specifications of Selden Automobiles

• Engine: 30 hp four-cylinder
• Wheelbase: Initially 109 inches, later increased to 125 inches
• Price Range: $2,000 to $2,500
• Production Years: 1909-1912

Transition to Truck Production

In 1913, the company shifted its focus towards the production of trucks, which proved to be more successful. The Selden Motor Vehicle Company continued producing trucks until its sale to the Bethlehem Truck Company in 1930.

Legacy and Impact

The Selden Motor Vehicle Company played a significant role in the early days of the American automobile industry. Despite the controversy surrounding Selden's patent, the company's contributions to automotive manufacturing and the development of trucks are noteworthy. The patent disputes also led to important legal precedents and the eventual standardization of parts among manufacturers.

George B. Selden's legacy extends beyond his patent and the company he founded. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in the history of the automobile, although his role as the "inventor of the automobile" is often debated due to the contributions of other inventors like Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler.