In designing Taft's tank, I drew on H. G. Wells, the Holt tractor and the 37mm cannon already used by US troops. It turns out historic Austrian Gunther Burstyn had similar thoughts circa 1911. The link contradicts itself on whether his idea was patented and available for theft by Taft's spies.
Gunther Burstyn - Wikipedia inventor of the tank in 1911
​Best regards, Rick