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Three years later Butler finished his design which was a vehicle powered by an engine which used mineral hydro-carbons. The two-cylinder water
cooled engine worked by a spray of Benzoline or petroleum product carburetted with air. The configuration saw two wheels at the front which steered the vehicle, and the single rear wheel was powered. A single saddle
type seat was positioned in between the front two wheels. The braking device worked by pressing a pedal which forced two small rollers on to the ground and so lifting the drive wheel from the road!
Butler however found problems with his invention due to government restrictions and and on the 12th December 1890 with regard to his vehicle he
wrote in the English Mechanic journal:;
"..the authorities do not countenance its use on the roads,and I have abandoned in consequence any further development of it.
At the time the maximum speed was 2 mph in the city and 4mph in the country side. In addition each vehicle had to be attended by 3
people of which one had to walk in front of the vehicle waving a red flag (The 1865 Red Flag Act) to warn other road users and help control horses. This act had originally appeared as a result of the growing
number of "steam powered" vehicles.
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