~:L~~!:1\.UTOMOTIVE ISTORY
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~:l~~!:1\.UTOMOTIVE ISTORY SPRING 1990 EVIEW A PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE HISTORIANS, INC. Editorial Comment One of the most fascinating aspects of automotive history is the study of the many people who figure in the industry which grew up around the motor car. Many of these are giant figures, in terms of their reputation and lasting influ- ence on the industry: Henry Ford the elder, Alfred P. Sloan, even Preston Tucker. For every industry giant, however, there are dozens of others whose lives and work fall in the shadows, but whose contributions to society are no less vital. Texan D.J. Kava is a scholar of Hudson history, and in his travels came across an interesting figure in the persona of George W. Dunham, first chief engineer of Hudson Motor Car Company. Through a short-timer in the auto industry, by Detroit standards, Dunham was the designer behind several production cars before turning his attention to setting industry standards through the Society of Automotive Engineers. He then moved to other endeavors, and left us with the legacy of the modern spindry washing machine and the ubiquitous lawn sweeper. With Kava's treatise on Dunham's career, beginning on page 2, we return Automotive History Review to the field of biography which it championed many years ago. Jim Hockenhull (page 8) has an irrepressible sense of humor (could a Crosley connoisseur survive otherwise?), and in this vein examines why, despite a clever attempt at innova- tion, the Ohio auto maker is not remembered as the pioneer of the modern high-compression engine. Dr. Jan Tulis, a Czechoslovakian member, is an authority on the automobiles and coachbuilders of his country. Here he presents a brief survey of the Tatra Tn, which, while it did not upstage the Chrysler Airflow by beating it to the market (the Chrysler was introduced in January 1934, the Tatra in March) certainly did in sheer novelty of design. The story appears on page 10. Charles Bishop, a founder member of the Society, literally wrote the book on Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot (alas, few of us have read it, as it has appeared only in French), and is an unabashed proponent of front-wheel-drive. In this issue he takes a look at early adherents to this means of propulsion, and begins to examine the reasons why front-wheel-drive has Back Issues of undergone repeated cycles of disfavor and revival. Automotive History Review My selection of the fanciful Fageol phaeton for the cover of SAH Journal last year stirred up a revival of interest in the marque. Jim Valentine presents some previously Many back issues of Automotive History Review are unheralded parts of the Fageol story beginning on page 14. available from the Society. Present availability and prices are Jim is a specialist in the lesser-known cars of California as follows: manufacture: his work has often appeared in AHR. Through 1989 there have been 24 issues. Numbers 2, 19 Fred Roe, a former editor of this magazine, says that and 21 are out of print, and the stock of 9, 17, 18 and "badge engineering" is nothing new. There was once a manu- 20 is so small that we are holding these issues to sell facturer who sold the same car under three different brand only with full sets of the available issues. names during the same year. He presents the evidence beginning on page 18. Sets: Numbers I thru 24 except 2, 19,21; Finally, no issue of AHR would be complete without 21 issues $70.00 a contribution from Keith Marvin. Here Keith relates how he Single issues except 2, 9, 17, 18, 19,20,21; did his part in recording automotive history back before many each 4.00 of us were even born. Learn how to trace your automotive roots (or your Rootes or your Rolls) on page 20. All postpaid in USA. As an eminent scholar once said, "history is worth Make check payable to Society of Automotive Histo- waiting for." I hope you agree. rians, Inc. and send to Fred Roe, 837 Winter Street, Holliston Kit Foster MA 01746. A PUBLICATION OF '( •• ~ ~e Society if ~~ Automotive AUTOMOTIVE U Historians ~ HISTORY EDITOR ISSUE NUMBER 25 Christopher G. Foster l SPRING 1990 REVIE-W ~ All correspondence in connection with -- Automotive History Review should be George W. Dunham: addressed to: Society of Automotive Twentieth Century Engineer 2 Historians. Editorial Office. 1102 Long by DJ. Kava Cove Road. Gales Ferry. CT 06335. The Crosley "Quicksilver" Engine 8 by Jim Hockenhull Automotive History Review is a semi- annual publication of the Society of Automotive Historians. Inc. Type- Tatra T77: setting, layout. and printing are by Brigham Press. Inc.. 1950 Canton Pioneer of Streamlining 10 Road, N.E .. Marietta. Georgia 30066. by Dr. Jan Tulis The Origins of Front Wheel Drive 11 by Charles W. Bishop OFFICERS PRESIDENT Matt L. Joseph VICE PRESIDENT Jack L. Martin The Fabulous Fageol 14 SECRETARY . James H. Cox by J.H, Valentine TREASURER Robert J. Gary BOARD OF DIRECTORS Through Oct. 1990 Through Oct. 1991 Nothing is New but the Name 18 By Fred Roe William T. Cameron Helen J. Earley Keith Marvin John A. Gunnell Strother MacMinn James K. Wagner Tracing Automotive History 20 Through Oct. 1992 by Keith Marvin Thomas M. Deptulski Walter E. Gosden James A. Wren Front Cover: George W. Dunham, prolific inventor, advocate of standard- ization, and the first chief engineer of Hudson Motor Car Company. D.J. ROBERT M. HALL III Kava Collection. Chairman of Publications EDITORIAL BOARD Back Cover: George Dunham's first and last Hudson, the 1909 Model Richard B. Brigham, Editor Emeritus Twenty, in the Michigan snow. Jack Miller Collection. Beverly Rae Kimes Robert J. Gary George B. P. Ward, Jr. Coprright /990. The Societr of Automotive Historians, Inc., all rights Further information about the Society of Automotive Historians, Inc" may be reserved. For permission to reproduce obtained by writing to the Secretary, Society of Automotive Historians, Inc., P. O. Box 339. Matamoras, PA /8336. i111.'· pari of this publication. write to: Editor, SAH Publications. //02 Long COI'e Rd., Gales Fern-, CT 06335. George W. Dunham: ~entieth Century Engineer by OJ. Kava George Willis Dunham was the first The very first Hudson ad in the June Despite any confusion on his birthplace, chief engineer of the Hudson Motor Car 19, 1909 Saturday Evening Post carried there is little doubt Dunham had a close Company, and designer of the first Hud- Dunham's first nationally published biog- association with the city of Cleveland. His son, but even the most knowledgeable of raphy. The facts it gave were most accurate, parents, W.H.H. and Mary Adams Dun- Hudson historians know little of his life. embedded in the ad writer's hype: ham, lived there. Most accounts have him However, he obtained sufficient media Mr. Dunham was chief engineer of attending grade schools in the city. We first coverage that many know about some of the American Motor Carriage Com- find him in February 1891 entering the his general activities. He came to the atten- pany from 190 I to 1904. In the latter University School in the middle of seventh tion of the University of Michigan- year he became associated with the grade and attending until June 1892 at the Howard Coffin "boarding house gang" Olds Motor Works in a designing end of eighth grade. If we use the most while at Olds Motor Works, then took capacity. He was chief engineer of widely accepted birthdate of 1876, he over Coffin's chief engineer's post at Olds the Olds Motor Works from early would be 16, or 14 using the family dating. when "the gang" left to form Thomas- in 1907 until March 1st, 1909. Mr. School records lis,ted his home as 1308 Detroit. Dunham, too, saw a limited future Dunham's success in the past as a Euclid Avenue. In eighth grade he failed at Olds and soon left, teaming with R. B. designer of high-grade motor cars arithmetic and grammar, but passed his- Jackson at the very beginning of Hudson. that gave satisfaction to their owners tory, German, and carving. While tardy Yet he elected to switch from Hudson to is the best proof that the Hudson only twice in the eighth grade, his "times Chalmers in less than a year. He became "Twenty" will give satisfaction. absent from recitation or stu'dy" soared chief engineer and a vice president of The second edition of the Standard after January, and in the last two months Chalmers Motor Car Company but quit to Catalog of American Cars 1805-1942 totaled 69, indicating he barely attended.4 run the fledgling Society of Automotive notes that the American Motor Carriage At this point, we lose Dunham for a Engineers. During World War I he spent Company is considered as the first sub- year. The announcement for the 1909 time in Washington on war-related stantial auto failure in Cleveland, Ohio, Hudson introduces the fact he "studied activities. I the city which was also home of Winton, engineering at Swarthmore and Kenyon While this general outline is known, Baker Electric, Stearns-Knight. The Colleges" and omits his Cleveland auto- as soon as one scratches the Dunham Catalog proved invaluable in grasping the motive experience, Swarthmore College surface one finds nothing but contradic- width and breadth of the local industry in Pennsylvania has no record of him at tory information. Even his obituaries list and its publication served as catalyst for either the alumni or registrar's offices, The two different ages, 500 US patents and this article.