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1902 White Model B Navigation
In the early days of automobile production, there were three main power sources to drive the vehicle: gasoline, electricity, and steam. All three had 'pros' and 'cons', with gasoline eventually becoming more popular around 1914. During the late 1890s and early 1900s, it was unclear which would have become the dominant source. Gasoline was smelly, noisy, and difficult to start, though it was the most powerful. Electricity was the popular choice for city driving, especially with doctors and ladies. It was quiet and clean but it had a limited distance that it could travel and replenishing its power took time. Steam was quiet and clean but it had its drawbacks. The vehicles produced a lot of heat, and it took a while to produce steam. This meant that the driver often had to wait 30 minutes or more for the vehicle to be ready to drive.
Water was inserted into a boiler and then heated from either gasoline or kerosene. The steam was then sent to the cylinders causing pressure that drove the pistons. The steam was condensed, changing steam back into a liquid form. The water was then reused.
Rollin White of the White Sewing Machine Company in Cleveland was a strong believer in the future of steam-powered automobiles. He created an engine that was easy to operate and durable. In 1899 he patented his 'semi-flash boiler' which provided safety features that were revolutionary at the time. Boilers were often prone to explosion, but with Rollin's design, these problems were virtually non-existent. Other steamers heated the water in the upper coils but Rollins allowed the water to be heated in the lower coils. This meant that the generator was able to produce steam more quicker and safer.
This 1902 White Model B is a two-seat Stanhope that carried a factory price of $1200. In 1902, the White Company produced 385 steamers. It sat atop of a 72-inch wheelbase and its steering was by a tiller. The wire wheels were small and narrow and the canopy top provided little protection for its passengers from the elements. It had a 2-cylinder 49.3 cubic-inch engine that produced 6 horsepower and could carry the carriage to a top speed of 30 miles per hour. Directly under the foot-board was the 8-gallon fuel tank which meant the car could travel about 75 to 100 miles before requiring refueling. Though it could travel this distance just on fuel, the 20-gallon water tank was only good for 25 to 35 miles before requiring replenishment.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
Water was inserted into a boiler and then heated from either gasoline or kerosene. The steam was then sent to the cylinders causing pressure that drove the pistons. The steam was condensed, changing steam back into a liquid form. The water was then reused.
Rollin White of the White Sewing Machine Company in Cleveland was a strong believer in the future of steam-powered automobiles. He created an engine that was easy to operate and durable. In 1899 he patented his 'semi-flash boiler' which provided safety features that were revolutionary at the time. Boilers were often prone to explosion, but with Rollin's design, these problems were virtually non-existent. Other steamers heated the water in the upper coils but Rollins allowed the water to be heated in the lower coils. This meant that the generator was able to produce steam more quicker and safer.
This 1902 White Model B is a two-seat Stanhope that carried a factory price of $1200. In 1902, the White Company produced 385 steamers. It sat atop of a 72-inch wheelbase and its steering was by a tiller. The wire wheels were small and narrow and the canopy top provided little protection for its passengers from the elements. It had a 2-cylinder 49.3 cubic-inch engine that produced 6 horsepower and could carry the carriage to a top speed of 30 miles per hour. Directly under the foot-board was the 8-gallon fuel tank which meant the car could travel about 75 to 100 miles before requiring refueling. Though it could travel this distance just on fuel, the 20-gallon water tank was only good for 25 to 35 miles before requiring replenishment.By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2008
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Recent Sales of the White Model B
(Data based on Model Year 1902 sales)
White Model Bs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1902 White Model B's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
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1902 White Model B
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