Automotive Pioneer. He immigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1878, settled in Cleveland, Ohio and began to manufacturer bicycles at the Winton Bicycle Company. He built his first motorized vehicle in 1896, organized the Winton Motor Carriage Company in March 15, 1897 and on March 24, 1898, he became known for the first commercial sale of an automobile in the United States. Like many automobile manufacturers, he used races and cross-country tours to promote his products and manufactured a special car that went from Cleveland, Ohio to New York City in ten days. Known for his innovations in automotive designs, he registered more than one hundred patents and was credited with giving Henry Ford access to his own steering design before a race in 1901. Although no more Winton autos were built after 1924, he continued to development both gasoline and diesel engines. He later became known as the Winton Engine Corporation and the corporation became a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation in 1930. In 2006, he was inducted into the Inventor Hall of Fame.
Automotive Pioneer. He immigrated to the United States from Scotland in 1878, settled in Cleveland, Ohio and began to manufacturer bicycles at the Winton Bicycle Company. He built his first motorized vehicle in 1896, organized the Winton Motor Carriage Company in March 15, 1897 and on March 24, 1898, he became known for the first commercial sale of an automobile in the United States. Like many automobile manufacturers, he used races and cross-country tours to promote his products and manufactured a special car that went from Cleveland, Ohio to New York City in ten days. Known for his innovations in automotive designs, he registered more than one hundred patents and was credited with giving Henry Ford access to his own steering design before a race in 1901. Although no more Winton autos were built after 1924, he continued to development both gasoline and diesel engines. He later became known as the Winton Engine Corporation and the corporation became a subsidiary of General Motors Corporation in 1930. In 2006, he was inducted into the Inventor Hall of Fame.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
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