While he wasn't the *first* to develop a working electric starter, Kettering's major contribution was making it practical and reliable enough for mass production. He also successfully integrated it into the design of automobiles, leading to its widespread adoption.
Here's a breakdown:
* Earlier Attempts: Several inventors before Kettering had experimented with electric starters for automobiles. However, these systems were often bulky, unreliable, and difficult to integrate into existing car designs.
* Kettering's Breakthrough: Kettering, while working for the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company (DELCO), developed a smaller, more efficient, and robust electric starter in 1911. He also designed a system that could be easily installed on automobiles, which was crucial for its widespread adoption.
* Cadillac: In 1912, Cadillac became the first car manufacturer to offer an electric starter as standard equipment. This marked a significant shift in the automotive industry, replacing the cumbersome hand crank and making cars more accessible to a wider range of drivers.
Therefore, while earlier inventions paved the way, it was Charles Kettering's work that truly revolutionized the automobile with the electric starter.
