Even as a child, Dorothy Levitt had a penchant for speed. She was an accomplished horse rider who strove to go ever faster on horseback. She was very strong-willed too. Instead of simply looking for a husband once she reached adulthood, Dorothy preferred to earn her own living and became a secretary at the car and engine manufacturer Napier.

Here she met the motor racing pioneer Selwyn Edge, who quickly realized that this self-confident young lady had what it took to become a racing driver. At this time, motor racing and, indeed, driving in general were still a male preserve. Nevertheless, it was decided that Levitt would learn to drive and get on the race track as soon as possible. She turned up for her driving lessons dressed as for a special social occasion, wearing feminine clothes, stunning jewelry, wide-brimmed hats, silk stockings and perfume – much to the chagrin of her driving instructor, who already considered teaching a woman to drive and showing her the basics of mechanics to be beneath his dignity. And yet, Levitt competed in her first race just the following year and also set the world’s first water speed record in a Napier motorboat in Ireland. Levitt continued to race at home and abroad, always appearing the way she liked herself best: elegant, with a coat, hat and veil. And if looks matter to you, there is one thing you should never be without – a mirror. Besides looking at yourself though, a mirror also allows you to see what’s happening behind you of course, as described by Levitt herself in her 1909 book “The Woman and the Car.” She recommended that all women carry a hand mirror in the car, thus setting the stage for the invention of the rear-view mirror.