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"Popular legend says it belched and snorted through the streets, frightening the good citizens of Paris, before it overturned and knocked down a wall, whereupon it was confiscated and its inventor thrown into prison"

https://www.autoweek.com/news/a2118816/1771-cugnot-fardier-v...

"Popular legend", but interesting if true.

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During the first test, the brakes didn't work and it knocked down a brick wall. It was in Paris close suburbs, not in Paris intra-muros. I am not aware that he was thrown in jail for that, it seems unlikely.

After seeing the video above of the machine in action, I totally believe the legend, that makes as much smoke as a train.

Based on the sound, I think that's mostly steam. Some smoke, of course.

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