J.W. Packard received his first automotive patent a year after forming his company with partner George Weiss. Packard became interested in building cars after purchasing a Winton horseless carriage. The Winton proved unreliable and after nearly a year of fixing up his horseless carriage, Packard decided he would manufacture his own automobile. Among Packard's necessary automotive innovations were the "H" gear-slot pattern and the gas pedal, begging the question would anyone ever have been able to "drop the hammer" or "step on it" without him?