Trystan Casey
Charles Kettering, born in 1876 in Ohio, invented the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines. Kettering graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer and joined the National Cash Register Company, where he worked on the first electric cash register. In 1909, he left NCR and, with Edward A. Deeds, founded the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco). There, he invented his most significant engine devices, including the first electrical ignition system, which was first installed in a 1912 Cadillac. Kettering's inventions, including the electric self-starter, made the lives of millions of people easier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inventor of the first electrical ignition system | Charles Kettering |
| Year of invention | 1912 |
| First installed in | Cadillac |
| University | Ohio State University |
| Degree | Electrical Engineering |
| Total patents | 140+ |
| Notable inventions | Electric self-starter, incubator for premature infants, Freon |
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What You'll Learn
- Charles Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system
- Kettering was an engineer, inventor and head of research at General Motors
- Kettering's ignition system was first installed in a 1912 Cadillac
- Kettering earned 23 patents for NCR in five years
- Kettering's other inventions include an incubator for premature infants
Charles Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system, also known as the self-starter, for automobile engines. Kettering was born in an Ohio farmhouse and graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer. After graduating, he joined the National Cash Register Company, where he worked on the first electric cash register.
Kettering's interest in electricity began at a young age. He was so fascinated by it that he spent his first teacher's paycheck on a telephone, which he then disassembled and reassembled. In 1904, Kettering began working at a research laboratory at the National Cash Register Company. During his five years at NCR, from 1904 to 1909, he earned 23 patents, including an easy credit approval system and the electric cash register.
In 1907, Kettering's colleague Edward A. Deeds encouraged him to improve the automobile. Together with other NCR engineers, they first set out to improve the ignition. In 1909, Kettering left NCR to focus on automotive developments, including the invention of the self-starting ignition. In 1911, he co-founded the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco) and was tasked with developing a new starter by Cadillac. On August 17, 1915, Kettering was issued a patent for his "engine-starting device", becoming the first automotive electric starter. The self-starting ignition was first installed in a 1912 Cadillac.
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Kettering was an engineer, inventor and head of research at General Motors
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines. Kettering was an engineer, inventor, businessman, and holder of 140 patents over his lifetime. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer and began working at the National Cash Register Company, where he helped develop the first electric cash register.
In 1907, Kettering's NCR coworker Edward A. Deeds urged him to improve the automobile. Deeds and Kettering invited other NCR engineers to join them, and they first set out to improve the ignition. Kettering resigned from NCR in 1909 to work full-time on automotive developments, which included the invention of the self-starting ignition. In 1912, Kettering introduced his key-operated electric self-starting ignition system on Cadillac vehicles. This invention made automobiles far easier and safer to operate, as the ignition process no longer relied on iron hand cranks.
In 1909, Kettering and Deeds founded the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (Delco), a business dedicated to designing equipment for automobiles. Kettering's engine-driven generator, named the "Delco," provided electricity to millions of farms. In 1916, Kettering sold Delco to General Motors (GM). At GM, Kettering set up and directed a central research laboratory, where he worked for 31 years until his retirement in 1947. He was vice president and director of research for GM from 1920 to 1947.
Kettering was instrumental in developing improved engines, quick-drying automobile paints and finishes, "anti-knock" fuels, and variable-speed transmissions, among other innovations. His passion for invention extended beyond the automotive industry, and he helped develop the refrigerant Freon, used in refrigerators and air conditioners. Kettering was also active in the medical industry, inventing a treatment for venereal disease, an incubator for premature infants, and artificial fever therapy.
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Kettering's ignition system was first installed in a 1912 Cadillac
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines. Kettering was one of the most distinguished and wealthiest engineers of the twentieth century. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer and joined the National Cash Register Company, where he oversaw the development of the electrically operated cash register.
In 1909, Kettering left NCR and, with businessman Edward A. Deeds, set up the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company or Delco, where he invented his most significant engine devices. Kettering's engine-driven generator, named the "Delco," provided electricity to millions of farms.
The 1912 Cadillac was a significant innovation that led to Kettering's rise as the head of General Motors Research. The electric starter was one of the auto industry's greatest advances, as it made automobiles more accessible to those who could afford them. With the electric starter, anyone who could afford an automobile could easily operate one, greatly expanding the potential market.
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Kettering earned 23 patents for NCR in five years
Charles Franklin Kettering, sometimes known as Charles Fredrick Kettering, was an American inventor, engineer, and businessman. He invented the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines, as well as the first practical engine-driven generator. Kettering earned 23 patents while working at the National Cash Register Company (NCR) from 1904 to 1909. During this time, he also invented the electric cash register, which revolutionized sales transactions by making it physically easier for sales clerks to ring up sales across the country.
Kettering's time at NCR played a pivotal role in his journey as an inventor. In 1907, his NCR colleague, Edward A. Deeds, encouraged him to shift his focus towards improving the automobile. Together, they invited other NCR engineers, including Harold E. Talbott, to join them in this endeavour. Kettering's passion for innovation and the support of his colleagues at NCR laid the foundation for his subsequent achievements in automotive developments.
Kettering's impact extended beyond his contributions to NCR. In 1909, he resigned from NCR to dedicate himself fully to automotive advancements, which included the invention of the self-starting ignition. This invention was first installed in a Cadillac, marking a significant milestone in the automotive industry. Kettering's electrical ignition system eliminated the need for hand cranking, making it possible for anyone to start a car with just a turn of a key.
Kettering's ingenuity and perseverance led him to hold a total of 186 U.S. patents throughout his career. His inventions extended beyond ignition systems, as he also played a role in developing the first practical coloured paints for mass-produced automobiles and creating the "Miracle Compound" Freon, which later gained notoriety for its detrimental impact on the earth's ozone layer. Kettering's legacy is a testament to his creativity and dedication to improving various aspects of daily life.
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Kettering's other inventions include an incubator for premature infants
Charles Franklin Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines. Kettering, born in an Ohio farmhouse, graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer. He then joined the National Cash Register Company, where he oversaw the development of the electric cash register, which made ringing up sales physically easier for sales clerks across the country.
Kettering is most famous for his automotive inventions, such as the first electrical starter motor and leaded gasoline, and the 185 patents he held. However, he also made several medical innovations, including an incubator for premature infants. Kettering's incubator provides a safe, controlled space for premature infants to live while their vital organs develop. The incubator can be adjusted to provide the ideal temperature, oxygen level, humidity, and light.
Premature infants may need additional time to develop their lungs and other vital organs. Their eyes and eardrums may be so sensitive that normal light and sound would cause permanent damage to these organs. Kettering's incubator helps to protect premature infants from these risks.
In addition to his incubator invention, Kettering also developed treatments for venereal disease and magnetic diagnostic devices. He was a visionary philanthropist who devoted his wealth to funding productive projects. In 1945, he and Alfred Sloan, another General Motors vice president, established the Sloan Kettering Institute, the world's first private biomedical research centre. The centre was built next to Memorial Hospital, an institution with a long and impressive philanthropic history.
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Frequently asked questions
Charles Kettering invented the first electrical ignition system and the self-starter for automobile engines.
Kettering was an engineer, inventor, and head of research and development for General Motors. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1904 as an engineer and began working at a research laboratory at the National Cash Register Company.
Kettering invented at least 140 other things, including an early automobile ignition system, an incubator for premature infants, and treatments for fevers and venereal disease.
