Cadillac Engine, 1913
Add to SetSummary
Cadillac introduced the electric starter in 1912. The device eliminated the difficult and sometimes dangerous work of hand-cranking an engine, and it was quickly adopted by other automakers. Charles Kettering, formerly an engineer with National Cash Register, developed the starter working from electric motors used in cash registers. Cadillac's four-cylinder engine and starter were improved for 1913.
Cadillac introduced the electric starter in 1912. The device eliminated the difficult and sometimes dangerous work of hand-cranking an engine, and it was quickly adopted by other automakers. Charles Kettering, formerly an engineer with National Cash Register, developed the starter working from electric motors used in cash registers. Cadillac's four-cylinder engine and starter were improved for 1913.
Artifact
Automobile engine
Date Made
1912-1913
Creators
Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company
Kettering, Charles Franklin, 1876-1958
Place of Creation
United States, Michigan, Detroit
Creator Notes
Engine manufactured by Cadillac Motor Car Company in Detroit, Michigan with an electric self-starting ingnition designed by Charles. F. Kettering and produced by Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company in Dayton, Ohio.
Keywords
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
29.2132.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Brass (Alloy)
Copper alloy
Paint (Coating)
Color
Black (Color)
Copper (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 42 in
Width: 29 in
Depth: 50 in
Inscriptions
Printed on sparkplugs: CHAMPION / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
