1909 – America’s First Motorized Hearse Debuts
The automobile’s influence extended beyond daily transportation on this day in 1909 when Cincinnati-based Crane & Breed introduced what is considered the first motorized hearse in the United States. Replacing horse-drawn funeral carriages with internal-combustion power, the vehicle reflected how rapidly automobiles were transforming every aspect of American life. Within a few decades, motorized hearses would become the standard for funeral processions across the country.
1911 – Charles Kettering Files for the Electric Starter Patent
One of the most important inventions in automotive history moved closer to reality on this day in 1911 when Charles Kettering filed a patent for the electric starter. Kettering developed the system for Cadillac after the tragic death of his friend Byron Carter, who suffered fatal injuries while attempting to hand-crank a stranded motorist’s vehicle. Introduced on Cadillac production cars in 1912, the electric starter eliminated one of the automobile’s most dangerous and inconvenient tasks and helped make motoring accessible to a much wider audience.
1952 – Mercedes Dominates Le Mans
Endurance racing’s biggest stage belonged to Mercedes-Benz on this day in 1952 when the company’s new Mercedes-Benz 300 SL finished first and second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The victory was part of an extraordinary season for the lightweight, aerodynamic machine, which also won the Carrera Panamericana and helped establish the foundation for the legendary 300 SL Gullwing road car introduced two years later.
1969 – Ford GT40 Scores Its Fourth Straight Le Mans Victory
The Ford-Ferrari rivalry reached another milestone on this day in 1969 when Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver drove a Ford GT40 to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The win was Ford’s fourth consecutive overall victory at the French endurance classic and is often regarded as one of the greatest Le Mans finishes ever. Ickx famously protested the traditional running start by walking to his car at the beginning of the race, then later won by mere seconds after 24 hours of competition, cementing both the GT40 and the driver in Le Mans history.
1986 – Richard Petty Makes His 1,000th NASCAR Start
A seemingly unbreakable record grew even larger on this day in 1986 when Richard Petty made his 1,000th NASCAR Cup Series start at the Miller American 400 in Michigan. Known as “The King,” Petty had already accumulated seven championships and more than 200 victories by that point in his career. Reaching four digits in starts underscored the remarkable longevity that helped make him one of the most iconic figures in American motorsports history.
