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The electric starter was invented by Charles Franklin Kettering, an American engineer born in 1876. Kettering is known for his invention of the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 with a degree in electrical engineering and went on to work for various companies, including the National Cash Register Company, where he helped develop innovative products such as the first electric cash register. Kettering's most notable invention, the electric self-starter, was first introduced on Cadillac vehicles in 1912 and patented in 1915. This invention revolutionized the automotive industry, making automobiles more accessible and safer to operate, particularly for women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Inventor | Charles Franklin Kettering |
| Birth Date | August 29, 1876 |
| Birthplace | Loudonville, Ohio |
| Education | Degree in electrical engineering at Ohio State University |
| Known For | Inventor, engineer, businessman |
| Inventions | Electric starter, incubator for premature infants, treatments for fevers and venereal disease, Freon refrigerant, aerial torpedo, two-cycle diesel engine, fast-drying lacquer paint, easy credit approval system, electric cash register |
| Awards | Franklin Medal (1936), Hoover Medal (1955), IEEE Edison Medal (1958) |
| Organizations Founded | Flint Institute of Technology, General Motors Institute, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research |
| Organizations Led | Research at General Motors, Flxible Sidecar Company |
| Patents | 140-186 patents |
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What You'll Learn
Charles F Kettering invented the electric starter
Charles Franklin Kettering, also known as Charles Fredrick Kettering, was an American inventor, engineer, and businessman. He invented the electric starter, also known as the electric self-starter, which revolutionised the automobile industry. Kettering was born on August 29, 1876, in Loudonville, Ohio, and had a fascination with electricity from a young age. After working as a telephone lineman and studying electrical engineering at Ohio State University, Kettering began his career at National Cash Register (NCR).
At NCR, Kettering invented the electric cash register, which made ringing up sales much easier for clerks. He then began working on improving automobiles, partnering with Edward A. Deeds to form the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO). Kettering's key innovation was the realisation that a small motor, driven by high voltage and current, could deliver enough power to crank an engine for starting, without burning out. This electric starter motor was first successfully tested on February 16, 1911, and was soon integrated with Cadillac's 1912 models, making automobiles easier and safer to operate.
The electric starter motor was a significant invention, replacing the manual hand crank and making it possible for more people, especially women, to drive. Kettering's invention was so impactful that it is still used in most cars today, with only minor modifications. The patent for the electric starter, along with his many other inventions, brought Kettering great wealth and recognition. He was granted at least 140 patents over his lifetime, with some sources stating he held 186 U.S. patents.
In addition to the electric starter, Kettering also invented the first practical coloured paints for mass-produced automobiles, quick-drying lacquers, and an incubator for premature infants. He played a major role in the development of leaded gasoline, which unfortunately led to the release of large quantities of lead into the atmosphere. Despite this controversy, Kettering's desire to help others is evident through his involvement in founding the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research and his contributions to healthcare research.
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The first electric starter was installed in 1896
The first electric starter made its debut in 1896, marking a significant departure from the manual crank starting methods of the past. This pioneering technology was installed on an Arnold, an adaptation of the Benz Velo, in East Peckham, England. The brain behind this invention was electrical engineer H. J. Dowsing, who played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of automotive convenience.
The introduction of the electric starter brought about a paradigm shift in the automotive industry. It eliminated the cumbersome and physically demanding task of hand-cranking the engine to initiate the combustion cycle. With the push of a button or the turn of a key, drivers could effortlessly start their vehicles, thanks to the electric starter's ability to rotate the crankshaft and initiate the engine's internal combustion process.
The impact of the electric starter extended beyond mere convenience. It played a crucial role in making automobiles more accessible to a wider range of users, particularly women. By eliminating the need for manual cranking, which often required significant physical strength, the electric starter democratized driving and empowered individuals who might have otherwise been excluded from the world of automotive transportation.
Moreover, the electric starter set in motion a series of advancements and innovations within the automotive industry. It spurred the development of competing starter types, such as direct air starters and spring motors, each offering unique advantages and catering to different vehicle types. The race to improve starting systems led to the introduction of electric lighting, enhanced engine designs, and the integration of starting, lighting, and ignition systems, further elevating the overall driving experience.
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Kettering was an engineer and inventor
Charles Franklin Kettering, born on August 29, 1876, in Loudonville, Ohio, was an engineer, inventor, businessman, and holder of 140 patents during his lifetime. He was a founder of Delco and served as the head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947. Kettering distinguished himself as a practical inventor, focusing on creating solutions that met the needs and desires of people.
Kettering's most notable invention was the electric self-starter for automobiles, which replaced manual crank starting. The electric starter motor, patented in 1915, was first introduced in the 1912 Cadillac model. Kettering's key insight was devising an electrical system that performed three functions: starting the engine, producing a spark for ignition, and providing current for lighting. This invention revolutionised the automotive industry, making cars safer and more accessible to drive, and contributed to the growth of the US auto industry.
Beyond the electric starter, Kettering had a diverse range of inventions and contributions across various fields. He played a significant role in the development of variable speed transmissions, high-compression engines, quick-drying automotive paint, and the first practical coloured paints for mass-produced automobiles. Kettering also had a keen interest in medicine, contributing to the development of treatments for fevers and venereal diseases, as well as an incubator for premature infants.
However, Kettering's legacy is not without controversy. He was involved in the creation of tetra-ethyl lead, a gasoline additive that led to the release of large quantities of lead into the atmosphere. Additionally, he helped develop Freon, a refrigerant initially considered safer but later recognised for its detrimental impact on the ozone layer.
Kettering's impact extended beyond his inventions. He was instrumental in the founding of educational institutions, including the Flint Institute of Technology, Kettering University (formerly the General Motors Institute), and the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research in New York City. His passion for invention and innovation left a lasting mark on the world, and he remains a notable figure in the history of engineering and technology.
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He founded Delco and held 186 patents
Charles Franklin Kettering, also known as Charles Fredrick Kettering, was an American inventor, engineer, and businessman. He founded Delco, short for the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, in 1909, alongside Edward A. Deeds. Delco was responsible for several innovations in automobile electric systems, including the first reliable battery ignition system and the first practical automobile self-starter.
Kettering was a prolific inventor, holding 186 patents over his lifetime. His most notable invention was the electric self-starter, which was first offered on the 1912 Cadillac. This invention was particularly impactful as it replaced the difficult and dangerous practice of hand-cranking automobiles, making them accessible to a wider range of people, including women.
Kettering's other inventions included variable speed transmissions, high-compression engines, quick-drying automotive paint, and an incubator for premature infants. He also played a role in developing controversial inventions such as leaded gasoline and Freon, a refrigerant for refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
In addition to his inventions, Kettering was also a successful businessman. He served as the head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947 and was instrumental in the founding of the Flint Institute of Technology and the General Motors Institute, now known as Kettering University. He was also involved in healthcare research, helping to establish the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research in 1945.
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The electric starter motor dominated the car market
The electric starter motor, invented by Charles Franklin Kettering, dominated the car market by the 1920s. Kettering was an American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents. He was a founder of Delco and was head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947.
Kettering's invention of the electric starter motor was a significant development in the automotive industry. The first electric starter was installed on an Arnold, an adaptation of the Benz Velo, built in 1896 in England. However, it was Kettering's electric starter that revolutionized the way automobiles were started. The electric starter motor eliminated the need for hand cranking, making automobiles easier and safer to operate.
Kettering's key insight was in devising an electrical system that performed three functions: starting the engine, producing a spark for ignition, and providing current for lighting. This system, known as the "Engine Starting, Lighting, and Ignition System", integrated the starter with the car's lighting and ignition system. The patent for this invention was issued to Kettering in 1915 as US patent #1,150,523.
The electric starter motor was first introduced on a Cadillac in 1911 or 1912, and it quickly gained popularity. By the 1920s, electric self-starters had become standard on nearly every new automobile. The invention's impact extended beyond convenience and safety; it also played a role in making automobiles more accessible to women. The social significance of Kettering's invention was recognised, and it contributed to the growth of the US auto industry.
In addition to the electric starter motor, Kettering made significant contributions to various industries. He helped develop the first electric cash register and an easy credit approval system, a precursor to today's credit cards. He also played a role in medical advancements, such as developing an incubator for premature infants and contributing to cancer research. However, Kettering's work was not without controversy, as he was involved in the development of leaded gasoline, which led to the release of large quantities of lead into the atmosphere.
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Frequently asked questions
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electric starter, also known as the electric self-starter.
The electric starter was invented in 1911 and was first installed in a Cadillac.
A starter (also self-starter, cranking motor, or starter motor) is an apparatus installed in motor vehicles to rotate the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine to initiate the engine's combustion cycle.
The electric starter motor eliminated the need for hand cranking. By the 1920s, electric self-starters came standard on nearly every new automobile, making it easier for women and elderly people to drive.
Kettering obtained over 140 patents over his lifetime. He also invented the first electrical ignition system, the first practical engine-driven generator, and the first cash register equipped with an electric motor.
