Louis H. Schwitzer (February 29, 1880 – May 9, 1967) was an American engineer.
| Louis Schwitzer | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | Louis H. Schwitzer February 29, 1880 Bielitz, Silesia, Austria, Austro-Hungarian Empire (current day Bielsko-Biała, Bielsko County, Poland) | ||||||
| Died | May 9, 1967 (aged 87) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. | ||||||
| Champ Car career | |||||||
| 1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
| First race | 1910 Wheeler-Schebler Trophy (Indianapolis) | ||||||
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Engineering career
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Schwitzer was influential in designing hydraulics for use in bus transportation.[citation needed] He also pioneered improvements in automotive cooling fans, water pumps and oil pumps, and the turbocharger.[1] Schwitzer made a fortune in business and became a philanthropist.[2] The Student Center at the University of Indianapolis bears his name, as did a women's dormitory at nearby Butler University.
Racing career
editSchwitzer also competed in a few early automobile races. As a driver, Schwitzer won the first event held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a five-mile race on August 19, 1909.[3] He is known to have started five races at IMS during 1909 and 1910.[3][4] He also drove relief, for Harry Cobe, in the first Indianapolis 500.[5][6] Schwitzer served on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Technical Committee from 1912 through 1945.[1]
Legacy
editIn recognition of Schwitzer's contributions to the early developmental history of American motorsports, the Louis H. Schwitzer Award for Design Innovation is presented annually after each running of the Indianapolis 500.
In 1970, Schwitzer was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.[7]
Schwitzer is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Kollins, Michael J.; "Louis Schwitzer performance pioneer had a hand in many Indianapolis automotive firms;" Wheels-Journal of the National Automotive History Collection; Winter/Spring 1998; Detroit Public Library. Article reprint posted at "Cruise-IN.com: "Marque of the Month" featuring a look at the people and companies who were part the Indiana's automotive history". Archived from the original on 1999-02-08. Retrieved 2009-02-20.
- ^ Higgins, Will; "Indy racing pioneer's Louis Schwitzer's Art Deco decor to be sold Saturday;" Indianapolis Star; October 4, 2013
- ^ a b Scott, D. Bruce; INDY: Racing Before the 500; Indiana Reflections; 2005; ISBN 0-9766149-0-1.
- ^ Galpin, Darren; A Record of Motorsport Racing Before World War I.
- ^ "ChampCarStats.com - The Champ Car and Indy Car Online Stats Warehouse".
- ^ "Home | Motorsport Stats".
- ^ "Louis Schwitzer Sr. (Automotive Hall of Fame)". Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ "Indianapolis Auto greats" (PDF). Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery. Crown Hill Cemetery. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-10.
http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/sites/default/files/Indianapolis_Speedway_William_Borque.pdf http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/05/20/461933.html
