That the dominant mechanism for engines in the 1800s was based on the “Leonardo cycle,” named after the Renaissance painter and inventor, speaks volumes simultaneously for the genius of da Vinci and for the woeful progress on engines that had been made since his time. Progress since the Renaissance era was virtually nil before Samuel Morey, the son of a Revolutionary War officer, who had a love for things mechanical, began working on steam engines in the 1790s. Morey secured several conventional patents before his 30th birthday, then turned his attention to building a completely new engine type.

On this day, April 1, in 1826, Morey patented his “Gas or Vapor Engine” — the first internal combustion engine patent in the United States.

Morey’s design would not be unfamiliar to mechanics today. His engine had two cylinders, with a familiar arrangement of valves and cams. After brief but positive lab tests, his invention was ready for a field demo. Morey outfitted a wagon with one of his engines (a prototypical car) and started it up. As the car jolted forward, Morey fell off, and his wagon wheeled itself right through Market Street.