the Phelps tractor

In 1901, the horse-pulled buggy or wagon ruled the road, and people were understandably nervous about the new noisy and smelly gasoline engine.

 I.J. Phelps thought he would make and sell a steam engine powered 3 wheel tractor that would replace the horse, after all, people were used to steam engines.

It would couple onto any horsedrawn vehicle, be controlled with the very familiar-to-horse-people reins system, starting, steering and stopping all controlled with two ropes.

Supposedly the steam engine operated effortlessly, fire was fed fuel automatically and the rear half of the tractor contained enough water for half a days running.

 The tractor was intended to replace the front wheels on a carriage (above) or to tow the entire cart (below).

problem was, no one bought it.

http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2020/06/phelps-tractor.html