Challenge: Prevent the rise of the Automobile Industry

All right then! Here's an interesting idea for ya! How would you go about keeping the automobile industry from rising, basically having it remain an expensive curiosity before probably fading into obscurity?

While there were alot of people definitely tinkering with the idea and so on, that doesn't mean it would achieve success or reach high levels of usage, especially if the idea isn't capitalized or does not reach widespread appeal.
 
I meant industry-wise. Just because something is invented doesn’t mean it will see wide scale practical use. Human logic is bizarre like that.

The problem is, once something like the automobile is invented, then it becomes increasingly useful as it becomes more efficient. I can't see a way of it not becoming an industry eventually unless it isn't invented in the first place. Something would have to keep it suppressed everywhere for this to happen after its invention. Which is almost impossible without a massively repressive global government.

If you (somehow) prevent the invention of the internal combustion engine, then cars will either be steam- or electric-powered. If you prevent the ICE and electric motor being invented, then it will be steam-powered - early automobiles date back to the eighteenth century. And the principles of steam power as a motive force date at least as far back as Roman times.

You'd probably have to butterfly out the entire industrial revolution for this to not happen. Otherwise, we're getting into ASB territory.
 
While there were alot of people definitely tinkering with the idea and so on,
Could it be possible for somebody to be ahead enough to sit on some important patents and try to monopolize the industry?
It'll only last as long as the patents do, but it could work as a delay to innovation.

It would also help if the auto companies aren't so good at the 'jay walking' propaganda, and the car gets banned from some cities.
 
Could it be possible for somebody to be ahead enough to sit on some important patents and try to monopolize the industry?
It'll only last as long as the patents do, but it could work as a delay to innovation.

It would also help if the auto companies aren't so good at the 'jay walking' propaganda, and the car gets banned from some cities.
I'm not sure how patents work back then but you're talkin around the world in the same 30 years it goes from a 02 a full Gallop no pun intended. And automakers have been one of the most prolific in sharing their patents. Because each is afraid the next patent will be the one that puts them out of business.
 
Could it be possible for somebody to be ahead enough to sit on some important patents and try to monopolize the industry?

That was OTL with the Selden Patent, held by the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers, from 1895.
Selden had a Patent, but never made a car under that patent, but collected a 0.75% Royalty on every licensed vehicle.
He was a far better lawyer than inventor, and nearly every company bucked under, except Henry Ford, who fought it out(and losing) but kept appealing til the Patent ran out
 
That was OTL with the Selden Patent, held by the Association of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers, from 1895.
Selden had a Patent, but never made a car under that patent, but collected a 0.75% Royalty on every licensed vehicle.
He was a far better lawyer than inventor, and nearly every company bucked under, except Henry Ford, who fought it out(and losing) but kept appealing til the Patent ran out

That's actually pretty useful to know, thank you! But yeah, granted, the longer the auromobile is delayed, the more problems.

Because then infrastructure within the US, China and other parts of the world start developing without the car's influence. Technology would go to the trollies and streetcars and whatnot
 
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