Midgley Indicator, circa 1922
01
Artifact Overview
In the early 1920s, engineer Thomas Midgley worked with General Motors research head Charles Kettering to reduce engine knocks caused by uneven burning of gasoline in automobile engines. Midgley developed this indicator to measure engine cylinder pressure. The device recorded its readings on photosensitive paper. Midgley and Kettering ultimately discovered that adding tetraethyl lead to gasoline prevented knocks.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Indicator
Date Made
circa 1922
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Invented by Thomas Midgley, Jr., for the Dayton-Wright Division of General Motors Corporation in Dayton, Ohio.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
00.1707.9
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Leather
Wood (Plant Material)
Mahogany (Wood)
Velvet (Fabric weave)
Metal
Color
Black (Color)
Brown
Gold (Color)
Green
Dimensions
Height: 22.5 in (case)
Length: 13.75 in (case)
Width: 12.75 in (case)
Inscriptions
on top of indicator:
MIDGLEY INDICATOR / PAT APP FOR / INDICATOR OFF/ PHOTOGRAPH OFF / GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION / DAYTON-WRIGHT DIVISION / DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A. / SERIAL NO 100 A
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