Milwaukee steam car engine

One of the lesser known makes, the company was founded by W.H.Starkweather, Herman Pfiel and W.G.Smith in 1899. Of cautious mien, they chose steam over the new-fangled gasoline engine; tried and tested bronze bearings over up to the minute roller bearings.

Their two seater "Runabout" - similar in style to contemporary offerings from Stanley and Locomobile - utilised a twin cylinder, 5hp engine.

Offered at $750, it was advertised as "Thoroughly efficient, can be safely and easily handled by persons of ordinary intelligence"

Perhaps due to its conservative design - one which might have been seen, even in 1899, as old-fashioned; perhaps for want of sufficient customers of "ordinary intelligence", either way the company went bankrupt in1902, three years after its formation, with debts of $42,000.