Inventor and businessman. Founder of both Champion and AC spark plug companies. As a professional cyclist, he won the 1899 Paris-Roubaix bicycle race in a time of 8h 22m 53s. He developed an interest in ignition systems while bicycle racing behind motorcycles, called motorpacing. Sometime before 1905, he started the Champion Ignition Company, where he manufactured spark plugs and magnetos. His spark plugs were the first to use a ceramic core surrounding the center electrode, the design in use today. In 1905, his investors forced him out of the company. In 1908, he joined Buick Motors and began manufacturing spark plugs again under the name AC. His spark plugs were used by both Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. He died in Paris, at a banquet in his honor, of a pulmonary embolism.
Inventor and businessman. Founder of both Champion and AC spark plug companies. As a professional cyclist, he won the 1899 Paris-Roubaix bicycle race in a time of 8h 22m 53s. He developed an interest in ignition systems while bicycle racing behind motorcycles, called motorpacing. Sometime before 1905, he started the Champion Ignition Company, where he manufactured spark plugs and magnetos. His spark plugs were the first to use a ceramic core surrounding the center electrode, the design in use today. In 1905, his investors forced him out of the company. In 1908, he joined Buick Motors and began manufacturing spark plugs again under the name AC. His spark plugs were used by both Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart. He died in Paris, at a banquet in his honor, of a pulmonary embolism.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
