Early electric vehicles marketed toward women

At the turn of the 20th century, the automobile industry was a rapidly evolving sector in the United States. During this period, electric vehicles competed with steam and internal combustion engines for market dominance.

Electric cars offered distinct advantages over gasoline-powered models, which required a manual hand crank to start before 1911 and emitted noxious fumes. In contrast, electric vehicles were quiet, easy to start with a battery switch, and produced no exhaust. Because of these attributes, manufacturers marketed electric cars to women and doctors.

General Electric capitalized on this demographic by producing advertisements featuring stylishly dressed women using their mercury-arc rectifier car chargers.