Summary

This medal was issued by the shop at the Museum of Victoria around 1985 to sell as a memento of a museum visit and to commemorate the Thomson Steam Car, a locally-made automobile. Built over a period of three years in a backyard workshop, this remarkable invention representing not only the Victorian-designed motor car, but also a sophisticated piece of engineering with few overseas parallels. In June 1900, the Thomson Motor Car Co. Ltd. was launched to manufacture and market steam vehicles built to Thomson's designs. Three years later, after some 12 further vehicles had been built, the initiative was finally abandoned as cheaper imported vehicles flooded local markets. An original Thomson Steam Car is held in the Museum Victoria collection.

Physical Description

A bronze commemorative medal 32 mm diameter) featuring the Thomson Steam Car.

Obverse Description

Image of the Thomson Steam car; around, THE THOMSON STEAM CAR 1898

Reverse Description

Stylized image of the front of the Museum at 328 Swanston Street; above MUSEUM OF VICTORIA, below, AUSTRALIA / OUR LIVING / MEMORY

Edge Description

Plain

Significance

In mid 1899, news gradually crept out that a novel horseless carriage had been seen about the streets of Armadale in suburban Melbourne. The rumours were soon confirmed when a proud young engineer Herbert Thomson presented his "steam phaeton" to fascinated crowds at several public events. Built over a period of three years in a backyard workshop this remarkable invention representing not only the Victorian-designed motor car, but also a sophisticated piece of engineering with few overseas parallels.

In April 1900, Thomson and his cousin, Edward Holmes loaded the steam car onto a steamship bound for Sydney, where it was again presented with much acclaim at the Royal Easter and Bathurst Agricultural Shows. Then in an inspired publicity spectacle, the pair drove the car almost 800 km. from Bathurst back to Melbourne in a rough overland journey that can rightly claim to be the first interstate motor car journey in Australia.

In June 1900, the Thomson Motor Car Co. Ltd. was launched to manufacture and market steam vehicles built to Thomson's designs. Three years later, after some 12 further vehicles had been built the initiative was finally abandoned as cheaper imported vehicles flooded local markets. -Matthew Churchward talk 24/10/2003. -D. Tout-Smith 29/9/2003.

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