Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-182

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (November 3, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we visit a car show displaying a surprising variety of motoring options.    

CAR SHOW

The first modern automotive show was held on November 3-9, 1900 in Madison Square Garden in New York City, sponsored by the Automobile Club of America.

Displayed were electric, steam and internal combustion cars.  At the time, electric would have been the way to go, but the range was short given the battery technology then.

There were 48 thousand at the show in attendance, and the electric cars were the favorite.

The idea of a modern car traces back to 1649 where a German inventor suggested a horseless buggy in Nurnberg. 

The first electric car was invented by Hungarian Anyos Jedlic in 1828, who also invented the electric motor.

The first practical car from today’s point of view, was an internal combustion car developed by German Carl Benz in 1886, named after his daughter, Mercedes.

This map of central Manhattan is by Bollmann from 1968.  It is based on many thousands of pictures taken.  Madison Square Garden is in the middle left.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.