Perhaps the most famous name in American steam cars, the company was founded by identical twins Francis and Freelan Stanley in 1897 in Massachusetts.  In 1906, employee Fred Marriott drove the Stanley “Rocket” to a world land speed record of 121 mph.  Production of their steam cars reached its height in 1907, but gradually petrol-driven vehicles were proving to be more popular and the last cars to be badged as Stanley were built in the late 1920’s.