Innovations: Steam car

Brothers David and John Shearer established a blacksmithing and implement making business in Mannum in 1877. In 1894 David Shearer began construction of Australia's first car. He worked on the project for many years. Shearer's final design was a 'horseless carriage' powered by steam with local mallee firing the engine. It was first driven in 1897. In 1900 it was shown in Adelaide at the Adelaide Chamber of Manufacturers Exhibition. Shearer was not interested in manufacturing cars; he merely wanted to prove that the horseless carriage was a workable proposal. After his success, he returned to manufacturing agricultural machinery.