John Henry Knight
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John Henry Knight (21 January 1847-22 September 1917) from Farnham was a wealthy engineer and inventor. He was the first person to be convicted of speeding in the UK after he built Britain’s first petrol-powered motor vehicle in 1895.
The three-wheeled, two-seater contraption had a top speed of only 12mph, but it was enough for Knight to feel the long arm of the law. On 17 October 1895 Knight and his assistant James Pullinger were stopped in Castle Street, Farnham and charged with using a locomotive without a licence. The case was heard at Farnham Town Hall on 31 October 1895. Knight and Pullinger were both fined 2s 6d. Knight was restricted to using the car only on farm roads until the Locomotive Act was replaced by the Locomotives on the Highway Act, on 14 November 1896. The car was subsequently converted into a full four wheeler and was the only British car at the 1896 Horseless Carriage display at Crystal Palace. The car is currently on display at the National Motor Museum[1].
Knight's vehicle was said to be "almost silent" when it was running; the vehicle entered a limited production run in 1896 and shortly after that, it was abandoned in favour of the four wheel version.
