Nov. 16: Andrew Riker sets an electric speed record on this date in 1901

Andrew Riker was fervent enough about the future of electric cars for the 20th century that he built several expressly for racing. The most successful model was this, the Riker Torpedo, which on this date in 1901 set a speed record for electric vehicles of about 57 mph over a mile-long dirt strip. The Torpedo wasn't much to look at -- and woe betide the mechanic who had to ride in the jump seat -- but the Torpedo held its record for more than a decade.