George Johnston 1855

Vocation

Traits

Scottish locomotive engineer and pioneer automobile engineer. In 1894 Johnston was commissioned by the City of Glasgow to build an experimental steam tram-car to replace the horse trams. When it was having a final test before a Corporation committee it took fire and it was abandoned. Johnston's attention was then turned to a detailed examination of continental makes of motor car. He came to the conclusion that he could design and make a better vehicle than any of them and in particular a better engine. The first British-built motor car was thus conceived and by the end of 1895 was ready for financial backing. Johnston formed a joint venture with Sir William Arrol, an engineer of the Forth Bridge to form the Mo-Car Syndicate Limited, which was to produce his car. Sir William's main interest in the business was as the financial backer. Difficult to work with, Johnston departed the Arrol-Johnston company in 1903 after it had been restructured financially, as a result of a disagreement. He spent his later life manufacturing mining equipment. He died in 1945 Link to Wikipedia