110 Years Ago, Charles Kettering Revolutionized the Automobile

On August 17, 1915, American engineer Charles F. Kettering obtained a patent for an electric starter, revolutionizing the use of the automobile.

Before this, there was no key or button starter. Starting an engine required a good dose of elbow grease to turn a crank attached to the front of the vehicle. This action was not only tiring and messy, but it could also be very dangerous. A sudden recoil from the crank could easily break a wrist or throw the driver to the ground.

Founder of Delco and an inventive mind, Kettering envisioned a small electric motor powered by a battery, capable of starting the engine with a simple button. Cadillac adopted this device as early as 1912, but it was after the 1915 patent that it became widely used. By eliminating the crank, the car finally became accessible to everyone, without the need for physical effort.

This innovation had a major impact on the democratization of the automobile. No longer requiring muscular strength, the car became practical, safe, and user-friendly. By the 1920s, the self-starter had become standard equipment on most vehicles. Sales soared, as driving was no longer perceived as a mechanical chore.

Long live the starter!

Beyond comfort, Kettering introduced a new principle. An automobile should be easy to use, not just high-performing. This vision guided the industry throughout the 20th century. Millions of drivers were able to take the wheel without worrying about physical efforts, and the act of starting the engine became a mere formality.

Even today, the principle invented by Kettering remains in place. The “Start” button, electronic keys, and even remote start are direct heirs of the electric starter. Current internal combustion engines continue to be activated by a small motor coupled with a battery, staying true to the original idea from 1915.

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Innovation

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This August 17 marks much more than a patent; it is the day the automobile ceased to be a capricious machine and became an everyday object, ready to go with just a simple touch of a finger.

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