Beatrice Lang
The electric starter for automobiles was invented by Charles Franklin Kettering, an American engineer born in 1876. Kettering is known for his significant contributions to the automotive industry, including the invention of the electric self-starter, which revolutionized the way automobiles were operated. With this innovation, Kettering eliminated the need for hand cranking, making automobiles safer and more convenient to use. His invention was first introduced in a Cadillac in 1912 and patented in 1915, marking a pivotal moment in the history of automotive development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Charles Franklin Kettering |
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1876 |
| Birthplace | Loudonville, Ohio |
| Education | Ohio State University |
| Degree | Electrical Engineering |
| First Invention | Electrically operated cash register |
| Company | Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) |
| Co-founder | Edward A. Deeds |
| Year of Invention | 1912 |
| Automobile | Cadillac |
| Patent | 1915 |
| Patent Number | 1,150,523 |
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What You'll Learn
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the electric starter
In 1908, Kettering designed a new high-energy spark ignition system for his friend Edward Deeds' kit car. This invention led to the founding of the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, later known as Delco, which focused on designing equipment for automobiles. Kettering's most notable invention, the electric self-starter, was first introduced on Cadillac vehicles in 1912 and patented in 1915.
The key-operated electric self-starting ignition system revolutionized the automotive industry by making automobiles easier and safer to operate. Prior to Kettering's invention, the ignition process was powered by hand cranks, which was challenging and dangerous. By the 1920s, electric self-starters had become standard on nearly every new automobile.
Kettering's electric starter motor spun the engine to start it, provided spark ignition, and generated electrical power for lighting and recharging the starter battery. This integrated electrical system formed the basis for the standard design used in most cars today. In addition to the electric starter, Kettering also contributed to other innovations during his tenure at General Motors, including improved engines, quick-drying automobile paints, and anti-knock fuels.
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Kettering founded Delco and headed research at General Motors
Charles Franklin Kettering, born on August 29, 1876, in Loudonville, Ohio, was an American inventor, engineer, businessman, and philanthropist. He founded the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) in 1909 with businessman Edward A. Deeds. Delco was established to design automobile electrical equipment and develop a recently invented automobile battery ignition system. Kettering's most notable invention was the electric self-starter for automobile engines, first introduced in Cadillacs in 1912.
In 1916, Kettering sold Delco to United Motors Corporation, which later became General Motors (GM). At GM, Kettering was vice president and director of research from 1920 to 1947. He played a crucial role in the development of improved engines, quick-drying automobile paints and finishes, anti-knock fuels, and variable-speed transmissions, among other innovations. Kettering's passion for invention extended beyond automobiles; he helped develop the refrigerant Freon for refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Kettering's research and development activities at GM also included the commercialization of air-cooled engines for cars and trucks. Between 1921 and 1923, he led the development of the GM "copper-cooled" automotive engine, which used fans to force air across copper fins for heat dissipation. Unfortunately, this commercialization attempt was unsuccessful due to various factors. Despite this setback, Kettering's innovations in fuel technology were significant. He believed that oil would be in short supply and focused on developing additives to create more efficient engines with higher compression.
Kettering's interest in science and philanthropy led him to establish the Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research at the Memorial Cancer Center in New York City in collaboration with Alfred Pritchard Sloan. Additionally, he founded the Kettering Foundation, a non-partisan research organization, in 1927. Kettering's legacy is honored through institutions such as Kettering University (formerly the General Motors Institute) and the Kettering Medical Center in Ohio.
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Kettering's system used a DC starter motor
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electric starter for automobiles. Kettering was born on August 29, 1876, in Loudonville, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer. He worked at the National Cash Register Company in Dayton, Ohio, where he helped develop the first cash register equipped with an electric motor.
Kettering's system made automobiles much easier and safer to operate. Prior to his invention, the ignition process was powered by iron hand cranks, which was challenging and dangerous. The electric self-starter meant that cars could be started with the simple turn of a key or the press of a button. This had a significant social impact, as it allowed more people, including women, to drive.
Kettering obtained numerous patents in his lifetime, ranging from early automobile ignition systems to medical inventions such as an incubator for premature infants. He played a crucial role in the development of various automotive technologies, including variable speed transmissions, high-compression engines, and quick-drying automotive paint.
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The first electric starter was installed on an Arnold in 1896
The first electric starter was installed on an Arnold, an adaptation of the Benz Velo, in 1896. The Arnold was built in East Peckham, England, by electrical engineer H.J. Dowsing. This pioneering use of an electric starter in an automobile set the stage for further innovations in the field, ultimately leading to the widespread adoption of electric starters in cars.
At the turn of the century, automobiles' electrical systems were rudimentary and unreliable. Ignition systems were often faulty, and lighting was typically provided by acetylene gas rather than electricity. Hand cranking was the predominant method of starting motor vehicles, which was not only challenging but also hazardous. The need for a safer and more efficient starting mechanism was evident, and the electric starter emerged as a promising solution.
The Arnold's electric starter represented a significant advancement, demonstrating the potential of electricity in automotive applications. This innovation inspired further experimentation and refinement, with engineers such as Charles Kettering making substantial contributions to the field. Kettering, a prolific inventor, played a pivotal role in the development of the electric self-starter, which gained prominence in the early 20th century.
Kettering's electric self-starter, introduced on Cadillac vehicles in 1912, revolutionised the automotive industry. His system, which utilised a key-operated electric ignition, offered a safer and more user-friendly alternative to hand cranking. Kettering's invention was so successful that by the 1920s, electric self-starters had become standard equipment on almost all new automobiles.
The Arnold's electric starter, though a precursor to Kettering's more widely recognised innovation, holds a significant place in automotive history. It served as a catalyst for the development of electric starting mechanisms, paving the way for the widespread adoption of electric starters that would transform the driving experience and contribute to the evolution of automobile technology.
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The electric starter motor dominated the car market
The electric starter motor changed all that. Invented by Charles Franklin Kettering, the American engineer and longtime director of research for General Motors, it was first introduced on the 1912 Cadillac. Kettering's system used a small motor, driven by high voltage and current, to crank the engine for starting. This made automobiles far easier and safer to operate.
Kettering's invention was not the first attempt at an electric starter. In 1903, Clyde J. Coleman invented and patented the first electric starter in America. However, it was Kettering's design that proved to be the most successful. By the 1920s, electric self-starters were standard on nearly every new automobile.
The Dodge, introduced in 1914, featured an electric starter and electric lighting with a 12-volt system, which was double the usual voltage at the time. This was a standard feature on a relatively low-priced car, helping to make the technology more accessible. The Dodge used a combined starter-generator unit, with a direct current dynamo coupled to the engine's crankshaft. This design suffered negligible mechanical wear and was virtually silent in operation, but it was limited in power and output as engine size and electrical demands increased.
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Frequently asked questions
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electric starter for automobiles, also known as the electric self-starter.
Kettering invented the electric starter in 1911 and it was first installed in a Cadillac.
The electric starter was made available to the public in 1912 when it was put on the 1912 Cadillac.
The electric starter made automobiles easier and safer to operate. By the 1920s, electric starters were standard on nearly every new automobile.
Kettering was a prolific inventor with 140 patents to his name. Some of his notable inventions include the first electrical ignition system, an incubator for premature infants, and the refrigerant Freon.
