1909 Baker Electric- from Jay Leno's Garage

[BabyShowerStuffcom]

Had no idea they had electric cars back then!

[BHuang92]

2:29 LOL

[ClownViolenceBoogie]

His wife, being a femi-nazi, would probably be hell bent with rage watching this segment.

[zawest2011MoBiLe]

I am wanting to make a pedal powered quadcycle, that looks simular to the Model T. And seeing these cars just makes me want to attempt to make the bike even more.

[t00nz843z]

It's Mr Magoo's Puddle Jumper! See video:

watch?v=DyJiA3BbKLo

[TheCheesyProductions]

Im going to hollywood for christmas now just to look at u drive that car

[Rex46947]

Hello, great video, is there any way that we could get an update on the progress of the Reveare that Jay purchased a while back.

Thanks Rex

[fairyheli2]

they had good batteries in 1909????

[GBBIII]

It stops @ 1min 47 sec

[IDoNotUseFlourToCook]

The garage ? It's looks like a fuckin' expo center, haha ! You go Jay !

[Agorante]

Jay Leno is a national treasure.

[megabassX]

All the 4 comments that have thumbs up are great

[nashtwin8]

Why didn't electric cars dominate the auto market despite their early successes? Consider that a car like this sold for about $3,000 when new. A Ford Model T sold for about $900 at that time, a price which dropped below $300 by the early 1920s. Add to that an 8-hour recharging time, and a very heavy car due to all the batteries. With the tires and bad roads of the day, electrics were pretty much confined to city driving. Only a minority of Americans lived in cities then, and most weren't rich.

[hamzah336]

omg women had to abuse avery thing

[cyberlord64]

look guys. The problem is not the car industry did not evolve. The problem is that it ididn't evolve as fast as I.C.E cars. The audi e-tron has a battery capacity of over 50kw/h. The stanley electric had a 1.3kw motor. If you would put todays top of the notch batterys into that car you would be able to drive it at TOP speed, MAX load for about 38 hours(!). at 25mph that is 950 miles - 1 528 km range. more than 10 times more than the original. But would you want to drive a 25mph car nowdays?

[frigginjoe]

Life would be a whole lot better if I regularly saw these driving around cities today. :(

Quite remarkable, this car. I never knew electric cars had were entrenched into the market to any degree way back then.

[123gwf]

why not just drive a golf cart? i've seen golf carts that get up to 20 miles an hour.

[alvaro2010ification]

is e supercar jay 

[1MtnBoy]

25 in this thing is FAST, LMAO.. Illl bet !!

[DammitDrag]

Jay has become the number one super cool dude on the planet, way to go Jay

[xXRoobieXx]

Lol

[WeirdoWithABeirdo84]

Imagine what'd we be driving now if it wasn't for those greedy oil barons.

[DanneskjoldThePirate]

@WeirdoWithABeirdo84 Considering the fact that coal and oil are burned for electricity... I honestly don't think they would have cared.

[McLarenMercedes]

@WeirdoWithABeirdo84

Mark my words. When they fall, they will fall hard. Let's hope they don't take the world with them in their fall when oil runs out.

Bill Gates once said that if the car industry had developed as fast as the computer industry they'd be flying zero-emission vehicles by now.

[nashtwin8]

@McLarenMercedes Yes, but they would also crash and burn frequently, for no apparent reason!

[JoeC7711]

so cool how he drives eveything. awsome garage

[zero2blur]

Oil and Car manufacturers killed the electric car. Remember all of those electric trolleys? Guess who bought those? General Motors.

[rmcdaniel423]

@photolitherland Exactly. We had all sorts of cool shit figured out way back in the day. For example, hydrogen fuel cell technology originated in the early 1800s, predating internal combustion engines. It wasn't strong enough to power vehicles at that time, but they were working on the technology already.

[MrMKH2010]

The windows are called Drop Light windows I remember them used in rail carriages on British Rail in the 1980's

[shartne]

That is Really Cool.

[katakisLives]

If the electric had as much development as the internal combustion engine car during the 20th century all cars would have been electric for ages

[siraff2]

If you add the weight of a modern car with it's safety and comfort features then add modern batteries it's plain the tech has hardly changed. Electric cars are the best idea by far as they can have very tiny motors which produce enormous power and torque. The only thing letting them down at the moment is the batteries. Once someone finds a better way to store electricity the electric car will easily dominate internal combustion.

[noimadfritz]

This is so amazing. But what jay said is true though... The electric car has been invented from soo long ago but it hasn't changed much. Well the batteries at least. Thomas was on to something big. Good job Thomas and thanks jay..

[Maglevspiritualgeek]

This car is AWESOME!!!

[arlichar11]

everyone sould have this... noone needs to go faster than 25.. and if u need more room just add to the rear.... i wish i had one,,anyone know where ?

[joshua626]

Jay Leno is stupid. Ha ha, daddy get me a baker. HE HEH HEH HE!!

[supreme2005]

3:23 LOL!

[gibSG69]

that man is livin the life!

[jrcomputer]

As you become more knowledgeable you will understand we live in a corrupt self serving society.Electric vehicle is the cheapest manufactured vehicle on the planet.The motor is almost pennies to produce along with the controller and charging system. Batteries are a joke. Edison had a rechargeable alkaline battery but once it was sold it lasted for years as you have heard on this video .

Electric car is BAD business for everyone.The economy would collapse if implemented.

[Skoda130]

@jrcomputer And not only that: We also do not have the resource's to make the entire vehicle park electric. Not to mention that the main part of today's electricity is produced by fossil fuels.

[Hiraghm]

@jrcomputer

No thank you. I prefer a Stirling or even steam engine.

I wouldn't reject electric cars, except they are part of the whole Earth-worship, politically correct package that ultimately will cripple Mankind.

[rmcdaniel423]

@jrcomputer wrote "Electric car is BAD business for everyone.The economy would collapse if implemented."

Nah. With simple tech, long lasting cars, I think we would see more aftermarket customization, upgrades, etc. The economy wouldn't collapse, it would just shift to other industries. Just think how cool the roads would look if we had hundreds of different manufacturers again, instead of just a few.

[DanneskjoldThePirate]

@jrcomputer If it's good technology, it's good for the economy... Hell, even the iPad is getting accused of killing jobs these days in the same way people accused the printing press of killing jobs. The fact is, no new product has ever collapsed the economy by making certain kinds of jobs obsolete-- jobs in new industries always come about to fill the void.

[bluemoondiadochi]

@jrcomputer

well it aint bad business for me! i use it cheaply and it dont have breakdowns! economy collapse?! (it will collapse anyway)

+ if that's all it takes, than it is a pretty shabby economy... + i doubt people would let IC engines go, we <3 2 much! collapse would at least get banks off our backs!

that is the main issue with capitalism - it's rigid and needs to keep going! in state controlled production, once you produce enough cars, you shift resources to something else.

[randacnam7321]

@jrcomputer Electric cars have crap range and the recharge time is a big problem. Not to mention the limited amount of energy that can be stored in batteries. And the fact that batteries are expensive. And higher energy density lithium cell chemistries like to blow up if damaged or charged/loaded improperly.

You do not have to be an engineer to see why they died out. But it helps.

[lcc1211]

Since this technology has been around for over 100 years, what excuse does a modern country like the US have for not having cars that can drive 300 miles on 21st century batteries?

[pseudonous]

@lcc1211 That car goes 110 miles at 25 miles/hour. With more modern batteries you probably could go 300 miles at that speed. The faster you go, the faster you drain the batteries.

[lcc1211]

@pseudonous That is obvious, but my original point was that in the 111 years we are still stuck with batteries that have a limited range. The Nissan Leaf will only get you around 100 miles on a charge with average driving.

[lcc1211]

@pseudonous And which battery operated care do you know of that can go 300 miles on battery power alone?

[KingOfBaileys]

@lcc1211 tesla roadster gets close to 350 by now

[scottwa]

@lcc1211 In general why would you need a car that goes 300 miles on battery power alone? 90+% of people travel less than 20 miles a day. Electric cars cost about 1/10th that of a gas vehicle to operate in fuel alone. If you have a car that every morning has a full tank and can go the distance you need to commute, shop etc... why do you need 300+ mile range? If you are going that far, take a bus or train... rent a car/truck. It's called range anxiety and it's not an issue for most people.

[DanneskjoldThePirate]

@scottwa It is an issue for people who regularly travel long distances and don't want to inconvenience themselves by having to rent, go through airport security, or take a train... that and I know there are plenty of people who will not check how much gas they have in their tank, so it makes sense that the same would probably be true of an electric car...

[scottwa]

@DanneskjoldThePirate I said "in general". That "inconvenience" is part of the advertising bs many fall for. That's why a 1/2 ton pickup is now bigger than a semi from the 30's. We've convinced ourselves that we "need" a vehicle that has 400hp to the ground, carries 8 people or a 1/2 ton of cargo in case we want to go to Costco to buy that 60" TV we "Need". So we end up with something that gets 11mpg around town that we drive solo to work every day and bitch about the cost of gas.

[louswire]

A modern version of this would probably cost a fortune, and breakdown all the time...

[arlichar11]

i want one of these bad!

[GenericGene]

Oil ?

[bondage2012]

@GenericGene any two parts that touch would create friction, without lubrication, they would just wear out in a quick hurry.

[sirlonghair]

my buddy has a fifty state legal bike with a 50 mile range he has used only electric for 10 years now no need for insurance or license pedals make great foot pegs I'm getting one of the next he produces it will be good fore in the back of the van sight seeing at parks you can drive right up on wildlife park out side the park and pedal in for free

[jrcomputer]

Travels at 25 miles per hour and there were over 3 hundred electric car manufacturers in the 1900's. They didn't last too long. No one needed servicing no oil to change, air filters,fuel filters, no parts to break down, on and on and on.

They couldn't make money after the sale like they do today. We don't want the perfect vehicle. There is no money in a one time sale!

[bondage2012]

@jrcomputer and there lies the problem and because everyone is in it for the money, inferior products are made intentionally; overtime, people become inferior as well and that leads to our present messed up world situation.

[Hiraghm]

@jrcomputer

"Men liked cars that made noise and banged and went fast"...

*that's* why electric cars didn't make it.

[DanneskjoldThePirate]

@jrcomputer Same deal with the vacuum, but that didn't stop Dyson. Let's face it-- people don't see electric vehicles as a better product. That can change, but it's the consumers who decide-- if there is a high enough demand, someone will produce the product. There are electric cars on the market today, but most people just don't want an electric car.

[eldictator1]

@DanneskjoldThePirate That is not true. The people who moan about small electric subsidies today fail to remember the Combustion engine and oil has been subsidised since 1910

[stabnshoot]

@jrcomputer Really? What about batteries, motors, and other electronic components that need to be changed?

[SteveSpicerPortsmuth]

@buttnut1080

You are VERMIN. You are scum. You are not even a human being as far as I am concerned. You hate cars with a passion? What else do you hate? My guess is your own life. And guess what? You are FLAGGED you lowlife troll.

[buttnut1080]

@SteveSpicerPortsmuth Who the fuck are you to come in here and talk to me like that you filthy piece of shit? I never said I hated cars you illiterate mother fucker. I said some of his cars I hate. Cars are my number one passion and how dare you talk to me like that. You wouldn't even try to talk like that to my face you little pussy. Next time, read right before you go off like a huge fucking asshole. Kiss my ass.

[ThrilloVanHouten]

Good stuff! This is one of the reasons why I like Jay Leno so much; he's truly a great guy who likes to show people cool stuff and make 'em laugh.

[mattouli]

Wow, I'm quite surprised they'd had advanced so far by 1909. 110miles on a charge... amazing! Slightly odd aerodynamics ha ha

[TheRealArchAngel]

The early 1900's was the Time of Tesla and his ex-employee Edison with a lot of the "Tesla Tech" just starting to come back with wireless internet and devices like the I-pad (Telsa's "Power Towers" offered wireless "multi-media" and wireless power,but nobody was interested back then,all modern communication,computer,wireles­s, and electrical tech is based on his patents for those towers)

Edison's battery/incandescent bulb was cheaper then Telsa's wireless florescent bulbs &"Cosmic Batteries"

[ImmortalInflames]

an amazing little thing!

I really do smile when I see people that have the means to save abit of our history & have a passion for it!

so Thanks Jay, it's lovely of you to show us all abit of the wonders of auto-history (past & present)

[goodenergy11]

New generation of kids and adults, please have this video and knowledge inspire you to go ahead and really let go of having your pockets lined by the oil Lobby and make a new Lobby of being cool, new edge, simple life of integrity of things that last, don't break down.. and like the iPod... no fear that just because it is perfect people won't buy more.... we just won't be buying batteries or gas! New Gen Rock Our World! Thank you! We love you Jay Leno!

[emforty2]

110 mile on a charge in 1909 ?

the GM volt could only do 40

then a piston engine generatior takes over after that don't even call it an electric car its a hybrid

[TheZadak]

that has better range, speed, comfort and luggage space than a gee-whizz

why can't people make a good electric car that most people can afford?

[cyberlord64]

guys let's not forget that the evolution of the electric car paused in 1930's with the invention of the starter in petrol engines.they came back in the 90's!!!!!! that's 60 years!!!!!!

60 years is what took us from eniac to the modern laptops and netbooks

[hitssquad]

@cyberlord64 "evolution of the electric car paused in 1930's with the invention of the starter in petrol engines."

The electric starter was invented by Charles Kettering in 1911 and first appeared in cars in 1912. By 1926, electric starters were standard on all Model T's:

google. com/search?q=ford+model+t+elec­tric+starter+standard+1926

The peak year for electric-car sales was 1912:

google. com/search?q=baker+electric+19­12+peak

"were sold until the peak of the electric car industry in 1912"

[kimboslicer5050]

Does anyone else find it amazing how after 100 years the electric car hasnt improved a whole lot. The technology from 100 years was basicly the same as today beside computers just everything has been refinded since than but not much improved. We're spose to be driving flying cars by now wtf.

[IamInYourClosett]

we do drive flying cars, they are called ''airplanes''. they are pretty cool acually.

[pannoni1]

The same applies to certain airplanes; most new technology since the 1970s has been micro-based; the Moon Landing was the last great leap. And airplanes were already around in 1909; although the rumor of commercial space travel soon warms my heart a bit.

[spinycrayfish]

@kimboslicer5050

The same could be said of the combustion engine, all we've done are minor tweaks around the edges. We aren't nearly as inventive or technological as we like to think...

[DanneskjoldThePirate]

@kimboslicer5050 I'd probably kill myself if flying cars ever became a mainstream consumer product. You want someone crashing through your bedroom window at night because they fell asleep at the wheel or drank too much? Be my guest. I'd much rather have them hit something on the ground.

[eldictator1]

@kimboslicer5050 That's what happens with little investment..just look at the aviation industry and how far that has come with trillions thrown at it

[Louiskst]

That's extremely cool. Sucks that they were trying to emulate an old timey look with the film. I wanted to see it drive and it was hard to hear him talk let alone have any sort of chance to hear what the motor sounded like.

[arlichar11]

i totally agrree

[TheZadak]

@Louiskst it's electiric, it doesn't make a sound

[Octamed]

"But I'm sure it would be very impractical unless your only journey is no more than a couple of miles on quiet roads to get a few groceries or go to work!"

like 95% of car use now? :)

[CMalburn]

I love that car- it's just like an electric stagecoach! But I'm sure it would be very impractical unless your only journey is no more than a couple of miles on quiet roads to get a few groceries or go to work!

But I agree that a car not too dissimilar to that really is the future of personal transport.

[JohnFromSpace]

The future is now! Back in 1900!?!?!

[fairyheli2]

@JohnFromSpace the future is here, it's just not evenly distributed

[AlwaysWishing1983]

It looks cool and I'm glad he's one of a few that's keep one and preserved it for the future to look back on.

But...I'm a woman. And when I saw this I didn't say OO hoooow cuuute! I said Oh...hey that's interesting!

I actually didn't like the interior at all....oh wow... but I'm glad these are still around. History is good. Glad he shared with us!

[inkey2]

women liked these cars for the main reason that you did not have to get out and crank start them like the gasoline cars of the time. Cranking a gas car of this era was total hell even for a burley male, especially in the winter. My late father told me it was not unusual for the crank to kick backwards when they started and break a hand or arm.

[cookiemonster307]

that is crazy cool. it sounds like the old gm ev1 back in its day.

[andytom]

Nice clip, too bad they did that stupid black and white shot, that blurred it all up...

[pontiacfirebird1997]

sexy!

[JoshuaStone7]

Everyones putting thumbs down on my comment. At 6:30 Leno says with all the windows down you can pick up almost a mile and a half, I was just repeating what he said...

[Blondets1]

Thanks Jay for showing a great car that had a comfy looking cab and a clean propulsion system. If only electric cars could have been given more of a chance!

[cookiemonster307]

they are too. next year nissan is bringing the nissan leaf to the states, UK, and japan too. im so buying one too.

[JoshuaStone7]

A mile & a half an hour....lol

[LeviMan2001]

I'd love to get a rusty old electric car and rat rod it lol. a complete contradiction. I'd have to make it whir like mad though.

[toyznstuff]

i'd sure like to get an electric car...sure not going to buy any more of the "crap" that the big 3 put out! 100 years ago & we seem to be going backwards...wind, solar all going unused? makes no sense at all?!?

[sockosockosocko]

i made one and i have no automotive experience. they are so so simple. very low maintenance. i LOVE driving mine! (see vids) one of the best things i have ever done. great video, jay!

[safetychoice]

Great video. I remember during world war II, when all the average person could get was three gallons a week, electric cars suddenly reappeared, at least where we lived. Some people had kept them in their garage even after they bought gasoline powered cars. Now they had the last laugh.

[monaco74]

WOW, 100 years, and absolutely ZERO progress on the range of electric cars.

[10mintwo]

for someone who actually OWNS a tesla roadster, that struck me as an incredibly dumb thing to say.

[DramaticSoul77]

You have to thank Standard Oil for killing the electric car. More Electric cars = less oil profit.

[joker0187]

dont forget to thank gm and all the car companies in the 90's who collaborated to get rid of the electric cars

guess gm ev1 gets the last laugh at its father who left it to die, now its father is dying, lol

[TheRealArchAngel]

*More Electric cars = less oil profit*

You do know every "Big Oil" company makes Batteries, Solar Panels,Wind Mills, Geothermal plants, Nuclear, hydrogen fuel cells, Biofuels, Hydroelectric to some degree or another?

Exxon is the developer of Fuel Cells and the GM Volts Battery Array, and BP Pickens Windfarm Idea is sponsered by Shell

Yeah "Big Oil" rather make just Billion in Oil rather then Trillions in more expensive technology nobody wanted to pay for like that $140,00 electric car

[cascorro1990]

these were car with, class, elegance, distinction, these were cars and not the space ships that there are today!!!!!!!!!! thes machines appeard too early or i born too late what happened!!!!!!!!!!!

[Odziz]

Modern NEV's don't go much faster but have about a third of the range of the 1909 Baker Electric.

Perhaps they should start making them again, I'd buy one!