Charles Dietz
Charles Dietz was an engineer and steam vehicle manufacturer. Born in Darmstadt, Germany in 1801 and died in 1888.
His father, Jean Chrétien Dietz ( 1778 - 1849 ), was an engineer, living in Emmerich am Rhein. At the request of by Napoleon in 1812 he was engaged in the construction of the Canal du Midi . In 1819 he moved to Brussels to build steam and hydraulic machines.
Charles Dietz followed his father in inventing musical instruments, and constructing steam engines and vehicles.
In 1830 he produced a steam tractor, weighing 10 tons, with a tubed boiler, and capable of hauling two passenger coaches, but the French Revolution of 1830 delayed progress. Charles Dietz tried his machine in Britain , but his efforts were thrwarted by the red flag law. Dietz then settled in Paris and opened several regular routes. To improve the comfort of the passengers, he introduced a layer of tarred felt or cork and rubber between the wooden wheel rim and the steel tyre
In 1834 he started the bus route "Rond Point des Champs-Elysees, Parc de Saint-Germain" .
See Wikipedia entry.
A model of a steam tractor and its two coaches are on display at the Musée des Arts et Métiers. See photo.