Compressed Overview of Cummins Engine Company's Clessie Cummins & His Buildings of Operations From 1913 to middle 1930sThis presentation is not intended to tell comprehensive details about the Cummins Engine Company history. It provides a glimpse into the growing pains of a company that is now worldwide in 2007. If you desire a in-depth review I suggest you purchase Cummins History Books and Clessie Cummins Book.First, Clessie Cummins before 1913 was the personal chauffeur for William G. Irwin and family at the Irwin house on 5th and Lafayette Street. The Irwin Gardens today are still open to the public and have been for many years, at this same location. Most Columbus residents have probably visited the estate during their lifetime in the city.
Clessie was a talented mechanical minded smart man and Mr. Irwin apparently recognized his abilities and allowed Clessie to open his vehicle garages for a machine shop during 1913. This was during World War I time period and Mr. Cummins announced he would develop and experiment machine operations. Well, apparently he was able to obtain a contract with the U.S. Army producing wheel hubs for wagons. Eventually, Mr. Irwin's vehicle parking was no longer in his garage, because Clessie's machine works was expanding and even hiring employees to keep up.
It has been said that he and his employees worked around the clock trying to keep up with the orders. By 1917 at this same location Clessie Cummins was experimenting with building diesel engines. His cash flow and profit wasn't good on paper. Many loses were experienced during the early periods. This is the first Cummins building behind Irwin Gardens of today:
(Note: A)
(Note: B)
His demands for other machine works continued, however not very profitable if any. However, Clessie and crew kept the diesel experiments in full direction ahead. His plan was eventually to produce approximately 1,500 diesel engines a year but his money was short and facilities too small to expand at great numbers.
Then during 1919 he developed a 6 horse-powered (one-cylinder engine) and Sears and Roebuck wanted them to sell in their catalogs. Sears apparently ordered about 4,500 engines for farm irriagation systems to sell. However, with a money back guarantee on the engines it wasn't very profitable during the building years. After the crop growing season, the farmers turned them back in as per the money back guarantee.
Then in 1919 William G. Irwin and Clessie Cummins started Cummins Engine Company from the old garage to the expansion to the old "Cerealine Manufacturer Building" near Jackson Street. During the 1919 time he developed 1 1/2 to 5 horse-powered engines, but after Mr. Irwin continued the financing 71/2 size engines came on line. The company's next building because of the expansion of business (even at a loss and profit sequence) moved to the old Cerealine building as follows in picture:
(Note C)
Note (D)
As the company struggled to keep overhead and financial losses in check, they didn't give up. One of the big problems early was the metered fuel injection systems, wearing out the piston walls. Also, carbon buildup hindered the development internally. They tried over 3,000 fuel injection systems, until they were successful from 1923-1927. Cummins contracts called for many marine diesel engines, and the Cerealine Plant was becoming overcrowded/cramped because of the enormous orders for companies and government agencies. So, they slowly bought land and built new expansion facility at 5th and Union Street and Wilson Street. The original size of land for Cummins Engine Company expansion was 13 acres. In 1926 this new plant opened and the movement from the old Cerealine building was to come. Here is a side view of the newer plant on Union. The main office was to the left of the longer building.
(Note E)
There was substantial business during those years because of U.S. Government orders for various sized diesel engines. The company continued to struggle to turn profits, but at times they would make some money versus the overhead burdens of business. Then the stock market crashed in 1929 and the marine orders stopped, and Cummins Engine Company shut down.
Then Clessie's mind started clicking more and he installed a small U model diesel in a 1925 Packard car used as a limousine, and presented to the William I. Irwin family. During the early 1930s they continue even with the great depression coming down the pike.
They had ideas, hopes and motivation to sell engines for automobiles. So, Clessie drove a diesel powered car from Indianapolis to New York using only 35 miles per gallon. This made national news and it was the first diesel automobile. Now, the national interest was generating. The diesel Limo was driven around the country and even at the Indy 500 promoting it's unique diesel power. Here is a brief review of events:
-1929 Produced the 1st Powered diesel automobile
-1930 Cummins set the American speed record by a diesel auto
-1930 Cummins raced a non-stop car at the Indy 500
-1931 Set the first diesel automobile speed record of over 100 miles per hour
-1931 Went 14,600 miles non-stop in a diesel truck
-1932 Cummins diesel race car set a 137 MPH record at Daytona Beach
-1932 Cummins ran a diesel bus from the East Coast to the West Coast to set a record
A new era of powered vehicles had been born and Cummins was
"standing taller in business thoughts and objectives." During early 1931 a diesel powered car ranked 13 in the Indy 500 and several trips from Indiana to Daytona Beach Florida in diesel powered vehicle, provided the sales bells to warm up. In the early 1930 years the diesel truck was coming down the pike and Cummins was the leader.
The idea caught hold and companies nationwide wanted their truck engines changed from gasoline to diesel. The government wanted their engines even for power generators for electricity and other uses. The diesel engine was "standing tall" and Cummins employment bloomed to less than 1000.
Finally, around 1937 Cummins made the profit scene and history of the plant continued on and still does today. This short compressed view provides us all a small insight to the strains of two main people (the owners) and the "never give up attitude" of management and objectives.
Legend of Notes:
(A) This is the William G. Irwin garage that Clessie Cummins started his"Cummins Machine Works" and experimental building of diesel engines, starting in 1913. This building was razed by fire in the middle 1960s. The picture was furnished by Nanc and is a partial view from the local paper at that time.
(B) This picture is an inside view of Clessie Cummins experimental "Cummins Machine Works" during 1917. This an inside view of William G. Irwin's garage that Clessie converted to shop works. Nanc provided this and was also in the local paper in the middle 1960s.
(C) This is a different picture of the Old abandoned "Cerealine" building near Jackson Street. This became Cummins Engine Companies second operational production building.
(D) This is an actual picture of a 1926 marine diesel engine built by Cummins Engine Company during that year.
(E) This is the Union Street Plant that was moved into in 1926. The main office was to the left of the building. The yard and fence you see was our house and partial yard. Today, it is a Cummins parking lot for vehicles. This is a family picture.
Special Recognition: I want to thank Rhonda, Nanc, George and Richard for their support. Without my exposure of my deceased father that worked there 38 years I wouldn't understand any of this. Additonally, Richard worked at Cummins 29 years.
Sources: Cummins History, Clessie Cummins Writings, Indiana University history files, Congressional files, Bartholomew County history, Indiana history, and Richard, Nanc, Rhonda's unknown author paper, my father, RER, and others. Pictures are explained in Notes. The Cerealine building picture is from the Congressional files in Washington DC. The Cummins emblem is a reduced camera photo of one of Cummins buildings.
Final Comment: I am not promoting sales of any books or publications related to the above.