Stanley Motor Carriage Company was founded in 1902 by Freelan and Francis Stanley in Watertown, Massachusetts. The Stanley brothers were pioneers in the automotive industry, developing steam-powered automobiles. The company produced over 10,000 steam-powered cars between 1902 and 1924, when the brothers sold the company to Locomobile. The Stanleys' steam-powered cars were popular for their innovative designs and performance, and were well-respected in the automotive industry. The Stanley Steamer, as it was known, was the first automobile to climb Pikes Peak in Colorado. The Stanleys also developed an electric car, which was sold from 1914 to 1918.