Andrew Smith Hallidie

Andrew Smith Hallidie
Born
Andrew Smith

(1836-03-16)March 16, 1836
London, England
DiedApril 24, 1900 (1900-04-25) (aged 64)
San Francisco, California, US
Occupationpromoter of the Clay Street Hill Railroad
Known forInventing the cable car and father of the present day San Francisco cable car system
RelativesAndrew Hallidie (uncle)

Andrew Smith Hallidie (March 16, 1836 – April 24, 1900) was an American entrepreneur who was the promoter of the Clay Street Hill Railroad in San Francisco. This was the world's first practical cable car system, and Hallidie is often therefore regarded as the inventor of the cable car and father of the present day San Francisco cable car system, although both claims are open to dispute. He also introduced the manufacture of wire rope to California, and at an early age was a prolific builder of bridges in the Californian interior.