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Shearer car
Brothers David and John Shearer established a blacksmithing and implement making business in Mannum in 1877. In 1894 David Shearer began construction of Australia’s first car. He worked on the project for many years. Shearer’s final design was a ‘horseless carriage’ powered by steam with local mallee firing the engine. It was first driven in 1897. In 1900 it was shown in Adelaide at the Adelaide Chamber of Manufacturers Exhibition, Shearer having gained special permission from the city council for it to be driven in the city streets. Shearer was not interested in manufacturing cars; he merely wanted to prove that the horseless carriage was a workable proposal. After his success, he returned to manufacturing agricultural machinery.
Further reading
Shearer, David Ltd. Australia's first motor car, [Mannum, 196-?].
Williams, Rod. Pioneering pathways: 150 years since the commencement of the river trade, 1853-2003: Mannum's 150th anniversary, 1854-2004, Mannum, SA: Mannum Heritage Centre, 2003.
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| TITLE | Steam car made by D. Shearer of Mannum |
| DESCRIPTION | Steam car made by David Shearer of Mannum in 1898 |
| DATE | 1898 |
| Image record | |
Copies of this image may be made for private research/study. You may order a high quality photographic copy. Any other use requires permission from the State Library of South Australia. |
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| TITLE | Steam Driven Car |
| DESCRIPTION | GENERAL: Adults and children travelling in a steam driven car made by David Shearer of Mannum in 1898; the vehicle has wheels and a body similar to a wagon with passengers each end, the driver's seat is in the centre. |
| DATE | ca.1898 |
| Image record | |
Copies of this image may be made for private research/study. You may order a high quality photographic copy. Any other use requires permission from the State Library of South Australia. |
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