Charles F. Kettering
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| Audience/Grade: | College Freshman - Continuing Education |
| Discipline(s): |
Design Electrical Engineering Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mechanical Engineering |
| Special Topic(s): |
History of Technology |
| Learning Resource Type: | Reference - Article/Document |
| Media Type: | WWW |
| Author(s): | Ohio Historical Society |
| Description: | "Charles Franklin Kettering was born on a farm near Loudonville, Ohio, on August 29, 1876. In 1909, Kettering and Edward Deeds founded the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, known as Delco. Kettering was involved in a number of research projects at Delco, inventing a portable electric generator and some important automobile innovations. Kettering is credited with inventing the first electric ignition system for automobiles. This development allowed drivers to start the automobile engine without having to crank it. In addition, Kettering invented electric lights for automobiles that would allow drivers to use them at night. Kettering's successes led General Motors to purchase Delco in 1916. Kettering was hired as the head of General Motors's new research division and became a vice president in the company in 1920. Kettering continued to develop new technology for automobiles throughout his life, including spark plugs, leaded gasoline, the automatic transmission, and four-wheel brakes. Under his leadership, General Motors also developed diesel engines, safety glass, and the refrigerant Freon. Kettering's home was the first house in the United States to have air conditioning, through the use of Freon. Kettering retired from General Motors in 1947." Caption: "Reproduction of a photograph depicting Charles F. Kettering with a Buick automobile, Dayton, Ohio, 1913. Kettering is credited with inventing the electric ignition and self-starter for the automobile. He was one of the founders of the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, which became the Delco Products Division of General Motors." |
| Rating: | No Rating |
| Related Resources | |
| Keywords: | Charles Kettering, automotive design, self-starting automobile patent |
| Version Info | |
| Publication Date: | 2008 |
| Platform/Format: | WWW |
| Cost: | Free |
| Download URL: | http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=223 |
| Metadata: | IEEE LOM Record |
| Collection: |
NEEDS
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