1926 DELCO Tools Dayton Engineering Early Automotive Ohio Kettering & Deeds Car
Issued to Buzz Aldrin's Father --- Edwin Eugene Aldrin
Delco Service Tools, The Dayton Engineering Labratories Company, Dayton Ohio, 1926. 11.5" x 9". Unpaginated, Approximately 300pgs.
This volume is in very good condition. Tight binding. Mark free interior.
This manual was issued in various sections related to the electrical workings of early car models from 1918-1926. Buick, Cadillac, Moon, Packard, Elcar, Essex, Davis, Cole, Atterbury, Barley, Riddle, Peerless,Wills St. Clair, Westcott, Oldsmobile, Nash, and many more, an exhaustive manual with focus on the starting motors, generators, distributors and combination switches. Tolerances, Schematics, Parts Lists, Assorted Categories of Data related to function and maintenance.
This is a very rare Delco Service Tool Manual and Schematic Guide, used for the early electrical parts and systems related to various elements of early automobiles and applies to military and civilian aircraft electrical systems as well which is likely what Lt. Aldrin was using this for at the time. This manual was formerly issued to Lt. E.E. Aldrin, the father of famous astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Aldrin Sr, served at Mccook airfield as commandant for test pilots and later went on to found the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Edwin Eugene "Gene" Aldrin Sr. (12 April 1896 – 28 December 1974) was an aviator and officer in the US Army during WWI and WWII.
In 1909, Charles F. Kettering and Edward Deeds founded the Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company, known as Delco, in Dayton, Ohio. Delco became a leader in automotive technologies during the 1910s.
Delco engineers, including Kettering, were involved in a number of research projects at Delco. Kettering is credited with inventing the first electric ignition system for automobiles. This development allowed drivers to start the automobile engine without having to crank it. In addition, Delco engineers invented electric lights for automobiles that would allow drivers to use the cars at night. Delco's successes led General Motors to purchase the company in 1916.
Now working for General Motors, Delco's engineers continued to advance automobile technologies. Kettering, himself, was hired as the head of General Motors's new research division and became a vice president in the company in 1920. Among the engineers' discoveries or improvements were spark plugs, leaded gasoline, the automatic transmission, and four-wheel brakes. General Motors continued to use the name Delco, and currently General Motors has a subsidiary company known as AC-Delco, which manufactures replacement parts for vehicles.
The service manual itself is very scarce and add in the interesting provenance and that makes this an interesting historical book that would make a fine addition to any aeronautical, early automotive, or electrical collection or library. A one of a kind offering. This came from a collection relating to McCook airfield in Ohio where E.E Aldrin served many years. We have a rare original McCook history listed as well from this same collection as well as many rare restricted radio manuals from WWII. Check out the other items in our store.