The Economic Times

In 1941, a Black American scientist and industrialist and business magnate built a car with never-seen-before plastic made from soybean and other crops: How the soybean car became an early experiment in plant-based automobiles

In 1941, a Black American scientist and industrialist and business magnate built a car with never-seen-before plastic made from soybean and other crops through the collaboration of George Washington Carver and Henry Ford. The Soybean Car used plant-based materials instead of a full steel body. The project aimed to reduce vehicle weight, improve fuel use, and connect farming with manufacturing. World War II stopped further development before the concept reached production.