SACRED LEGACY ARCHIVES™

Charles F. Kettering

1876-08-29 – 1958-11-25

Time magazine cover 9 January 1933. Title: "Charles Franklin Kettering".Credit: TIME Magazine

Life & Legacy

Charles Franklin Kettering (August 29, 1876 – November 25, 1958) sometimes known as Charles Fredrick Kettering was an American inventor, engineer, businessman, and the holder of 186 patents. He was a founder of Delco, and was head of research at General Motors from 1920 to 1947. Among his most widely used automotive developments were the electrical starting motor and leaded gasoline.
At DuPont, Kettering was also responsible for the development of Duco lacquers and enamels, the first practical colored paints for mass-produced automobiles. While working with the Dayton-Wright Company, he developed the "Bug" aerial torpedo, considered the world's first aerial missile. Kettering led the advancement of practical, lightweight two-stroke diesel engines, revolutionizing the locomotive and heavy equipment industries. In 1927, he founded the Kettering Foundation and was featured on the cover of Time magazine in January 1933.

Occupation & Career

engineer, inventor, entrepreneur

Education

Ohio State University

Accomplishments, Inventions & Publications

Edison Medal; John Fritz Medal; ASME Medal; National Aviation Hall of Fame; National Inventors Hall of Fame; Hoover Medal; Franklin Medal; honorary doctor of the University of Miami; Washington Award; John Scott Award

Legacy Highlights

Honors & Awards

ASME Medal · Edison Medal · Franklin Medal · honorary doctor of the University of Miami · Hoover Medal · John Fritz Medal · John Scott Award · National Aviation Hall of Fame · National Inventors Hall of Fame · Washington Award

Employer

Delco Electronics · General Motors · NCR Corporation

Organizations & Memberships

American Philosophical Society · American Society of Mechanical Engineers · Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans · National Academy of Sciences · National Research Council · SAE International · Tau Beta Pi