Seldon had created a patent for the idea of a carriage car to be sent in on May 8,1879. For sixteen years he continuously fought to get the patent approved and finally on November 5, 1895. With his lack of funds he spoke to one of his friends who was prepared to give Seldon 5,000 dollars to create this automobile. When Seldon brought up the idea of the carriage with horses the friend walked away. Eventually the carriage was being made and Seldon had made 1.2million dollars. But he had to pay half of it to a company ALAM and couldnt even build under his own patent until the companies contract was over. When he died he had 200,000 dollars and ended up being a forgotten man in the American motor industry.