Thomas Parker invented the first practical electric car in 1884 in London, England. Thomas Parker (Dec 22nd 1843-Dec 5th 1915) was an engineer, industrialist and inventor. He was nicknamed the “Edison of Europe”. Thomas Parker was born in Lincoln Hill Shropshire England to Thomas Parker Senior and Ann Fletcher. In 1886, Parker patented an improved steam pump model. This was Parker’s first recognized invention.
In the late 1800’s there was large concern on the effects of coal smoke in the urban areas of England. Parker then invented the ‘Kyrle Grate’, an open-faced grate in which anthracite coal could be burned as an alternative to regular coal. Anthracite coal acted very similar to coal, but did not give off the dangerous smoke that coal did. Parker’s invention received a silver medal at the Smoke Abatement Exhibition in 1887.
In the late 1800’s there was large concern on the effects of coal smoke in the urban areas of England. Parker then invented the ‘Kyrle Grate’, an open-faced grate in which anthracite coal could be burned as an alternative to regular coal. Anthracite coal acted very similar to coal, but did not give off the dangerous smoke that coal did. Parker’s invention received a silver medal at the Smoke Abatement Exhibition in 1887.
Parker soon moved to Wolverhampton, England, to set up business with family friends. Parker began to produce accumulators, and later dynamos (electric generators). The demand for Parker’s dynamos grew, and they were soon used to light underground mines. This was the first time electric lighting had been used underground. Parker supplied his equipment for the production of a tramway in Blackpool, when he had the idea to use his dynamos as an engine to propel the cart. Several prototypes were manufactured and tested, marking the point in time where the first electrically-powered cars were created.
In 1892, Thomas Parker designed the high voltage direct current system for distributing electricity, and formed the Midland Electric Corporation, the first company in the world to distribute electricity over a large area.