1912 Cadillac Two-Passenger Roadster

, deputy director, Clean Vehicles

February 27, 2012

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This ad for the 1912 Cadillac Touring Edition highlighted the advantage of the first electric starter motor.

From GM: Charles Kettering’s self-starter redefined the automobile. Previously, automobile use had been limited (especially among women) because of the hand crank. Soon, virtually every manufacturer was applying the new device to its vehicles; many of these starters were manufactured by DELCO in Dayton, Ohio. [SOURCE: General Motors Priorities and Focus- Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
GMU, 2000] X02CO_AW009

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About the author: David Friedman is an engineer with expertise on fuel efficiency, alternative fuel, battery, fuel cell, and hybrid electric vehicle technologies and the policies needed to turn them into real solutions for U.S. oil dependence, air pollution and global warming. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and is a Ph.D. candidate in transportation technology and policy. Subscribe to David's posts

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