The first real steam omnibuses, the “Era” and “Autopsy,” were invented by Walter Hancock, of Stratford, and placed on the London roads in 1833. Hancock had invented steam carriages before Shillibeer’s omnibuses were introduced, but the “Autopsy” and the “Era” were the first which he constructed with the idea of entering into competition with the popular horse-drawn vehicles. The “Era” was the better omnibus of the two, and the most flattering things were said and predicted of it. Enthusiasts declared that omnibuses of the “Era” type would enable passengers to be carried at a cheaper rate and greater speed than by Shillibeer’s vehicles. [Illustration: THE “AUTOPSY” STEAM OMNIBUS.] The “Era” ran from Paddington to the Bank, the same route as the horse-drawn omnibuses, and carried fourteen passengers, the fare being sixpence all the way. It travelled at the rate of ten miles an hour, and consumed from 8 to 12 lbs. of coke, and 100 lbs. of water per mile. But, in spite of what the enthusiasts of the day wrote, the “Era” was by no means a success, for it broke down continually, and frequently a considerable time elapsed before it could resume the journey. Our grandfathers, who took life more leisurely than we, did not appear to be greatly annoyed at these collapses. An hour’s delay in reaching their destination was of little consequence to those who could afford to live in the suburbs, and as the steam omnibuses--when they did run--were guided easily and escaped collisions, they were perfectly satisfied, assuring themselves that in a few years, at the most, some means would be found for making the vehicles stop only when required. Moreover, they were a novelty, and as such were patronised for a time. Unfortunately for Hancock, the eccentricities of the “Autopsy” and “Era” increased as the months went on, although the two vehicles continued to run after all the steam omnibuses by other makers had been taken off the roads. Nevertheless, Hancock was not dispirited, and in July, 1835, started his last, and best, steam omnibus--the “Automaton.” This was a larger vehicle than his previous ones, being built to carry twenty-two passengers, and to travel at an average speed of thirteen miles an hour. On its trial trip to Romford and back, it did not, however, succeed in attaining a better average than eleven miles an hour. Certainly faster travelling was not desirable in London streets, but on one occasion the “Automaton” was driven at full speed along the Bow Road, and covered a mile at the rate of twenty-one miles an hour. And that record run was the more remarkable as, when it was made, the omnibus carried twenty passengers. [Illustration: THE “ERA” STEAM OMNIBUS.]