Born and raised in Kingfield, Maine, the Stanley twins earned their fame as the inventors of the steam-powered automobile, otherwise known as the Stanley Steamer. Francis Stanley invented the dry plate photographic process in 1883, and he and his brother began manufacturing the dry plates for sale. They soon became restless, though, and by 1897, they had developed the steam-driven car. The Stanley brothers were known for the quality and speed of their cars. They competed in several races against gas-powered engines, and often won. In 1906, they built a steam car that set the world record for the fastest mile at 28.2 seconds (127 miles an hour). The Stanley Motor Company continued to build its Stanley Steamers into the 1920s.
Source: The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 15th Edition. Vol. II. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 1995