Owen Magnetic M-25 (1915)Alf van Beem, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Owen Magnetic M-25

1915 — USA

Pre-War (before 1946)American
Engine5,900 cc
DrivetrainRWD

Owen Magnetic M-25

The Owen Magnetic pioneered electromagnetic transmission technology decades before it would become commonplace. Its unique system used electromagnets to couple the engine to the drive shaft, providing infinitely variable gear ratios controlled by a lever. This delivered remarkably smooth power delivery without clutch pedal or gear changes. Despite technical innovation, high cost and complexity limited production to fewer than 1,000 units.