Overview

Among the engineers fueling the rapid rise of the automotive industry at the dawn of the 20th century was James Allison, a fountain pen maker who joined with Carl G. Fisher in 1904 to found Prest-O-Lite, an early manufacturer of the power source for automotive headlights. This biography tracks Allison's involvement in the Indianapolis 500, which he cofounded with Fisher and two others, as well as his machine shop's construction of the Liberty engine, the first mass-produced aircraft engine, and also the V1710, the workhorse of World War II military aircraft. Through his unique ingenuity and perseverance, Allison created a legacy that still resonates today at the Indianapolis 500, Rolls-Royce, and Allison Transmission.

Full Product Details

Author:   Sigur E. Whitaker
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.20cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.318kg
ISBN:  

9780786461653

ISBN 10:   0786461659
Pages:   232
Publication Date:   15 March 2011
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preface      Introduction      1. The Early Years      2. The Birth of the Automobile Industry      3. Development of the Automobile in the United States      4. The Early Races      5. Prest-O-Lite: The Early Years      6. The Marriage      7. Prest-O-Lite Expands—and Explodes      8. Prest-O-Lite Explodes—Again      9. An Indianapolis Racetrack Becomes Reality      10. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Opens      11. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Racing      12. The Town of Speedway, Indiana      13. The Second Year of Racing      14. The Inaugural Indianapolis 500      15. Prest-O-Lite Building Collapses      16. Prest-O-Lite Thrives      17. Riverdale Springs      18. The Second Running of the Indianapolis 500      19. The Europeans Dominate the 1914 Race      20. The Lincoln Highway      21. The War Years      22. Racing Resumes      23. Miami Beach      24. The Miami Aquarium      25. Prohibition      26. Allison Assumes Indianapolis Motor Speedway Presidency      27. Allison Engineering      28. Allison Hospital      29. The Divorce      30. The End      31. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Thereafter      32. Allison Engineering in the Aftermath      Epilogue      Chapter Notes      Bibliography      Index     

Reviews

this biography of the self-made millionaire details Allison's role in the Indianapolis 500 as well as his madchine shop's construction of the first mass-produced aircraft engine and production of other aircraft milestones during both World Wars --<i>Reference & Research Book News</i>; well-researched --<i>izoom.com</i>.

Author Information

A native of Indianapolis, Sigur E. Whitaker, is the great-great-niece of James Allison, one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A retired banker, she lives in Norfolk, Virginia.

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