Book Description

In this lively historical account of one of America's ingenious entrepreneurs and inventors, the adventurous path of Clessie Cummins is told from his early innovations to the founding of his global brand and company. Best known as the father of the American diesel truck, Cummins's formal schooling ended at the eighth grade. Despite that, he generated thirty-three US patents over fifty-six years. He founded the diesel engine company bearing his name and served as its president for nineteen years. A racer at heart, he set world speed and endurance records in race cars and trucks. The Diesel Odyssey of Clessie Cummins is more than a simple recitation of a pioneering individual's exploits and accomplishments. Told through the eyes of his son, C. Lyle Cummins Jr., it is a tale of success and adversity, woven through a lens of historical research and personal knowledge. Lyle Cummins recounts memories of his father from his own youth and describes how later, as a practicing engineer, he saw other sides of the man who would become his employer, mentor, and colleague. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers posthumously honored Clessie Cummins for his achievements. A tireless individual, years of grueling effort resulted in declining health. Yet, in his retirement, he created a new product that launched a second industry. For anyone who loves engines, innovation, or early American history, this easy-to-read and engaging book is a must.