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Motor-Propelled Vehicles 321 as to bring a serviceable vehicle within the reach of a far wider public than was conceived to be possible even ten years ago. In this particular realm of endeavour the United States is playing a prominent part. This is due in the main to one man—Henry Ford. He is probably the most picturesque figure in American motor- manufacturing circles. He first aroused public atten- tion by fighting might and main Henry Selden, who claimed to be the American inventor of the petrol- driven car. While the majority of manufacturers were disposed to accept this contention, a few—at the head of whom was Henry Ford—thought other- wise. Thousands of pounds were squandered upon litigation, but with abortive results, from Selden’s point of view. Indeed, litigation was so drawn-out that the patent expired, from the effluxion of time, before a final decision could be reached. But Ford had the satisfaction of knowing that he never paid a penny in tribute to a patentee whom he always considered unable to establish his contentions. Upon the conclusion of the campaign in the courts, Ford decided to embark upon the manufacture of cars upon an extensive scale, so that they might be sold at a low figure. He summoned his most successful agents to his office one day to explain his idea. But the agents could not see eye to eye with him. At last, rising from his chair, he passed to the window and beckoned his audience. It flocked round the window and followed Ford’s pointing finger. It was levelled at a woman working a sewing-machine at a window across the street. “ Now, how much do you think it would cost me