The Cummins Engine Company of Columbus, Indiana, is probably
well known to many of our readers. In this nearly 400-page book,
the founder’s son tells the fascinating and personal tale of
the life of his father and the company he founded.
It all began curiously enough when young Clessie Cummins, a man
with great mechanical talent, took a job as a chauffeur with the
wealthy W. G. Irwin family in Columbus. This was the beginning of
the long term, symbiotic relationship which led to the formation of
the engine company, its ultimate growth and success.
The story is a fascinating one, moving as it does from the early
teens of this century, up to Cummins death in August of 1968. First
hand reports of some marvelous ‘engine adventures’ include
several Indy 500 races with race cars fitted with Cummins diesels,
speed records broken at Daytona; a 1931 cross country trip in the
first diesel-powered truck; a non-stop 14,600 mile truck trip
around the Indianapolis Speedway; a cross-country trip in a diesel
powered bus, and more. Tales from a promotional trip to Europe
provide more adventure.
For the technically astute, there are numerous discussions of
the actual inventions, and improvements, with sketches and detailed
explanations in a historical context.
Many details of the company history are included, the plants,
the additions, the acquisitions and new buildings as the company
grew, and sold engines for numerous applications throughout the
world.
Underlying the entire tale, are detailed insights provided by
extensive personal correspondence and anecdotes. The relationship
of the inventor and his investors are explored in detail. And while
the Cummins Engine Company did not always best serve both the
interests of inventor and investors, it did a fine job of serving
the community of Columbus, Indiana, regardless. For, while the
primary mission of the Company was to produce the finest, most
perfect engine possible, it is refreshing to read some of
Cummins’ words in describing other corporate values in his
draft of a company policy:
‘The second major point of policy is that of training and
developing of the man power of the community. It has always been
our aim and desire to pick out the best talent and train it to the
best of our ability, not only mechanics, but as God-fearing, useful
citizens in the community. To accomplish this, a third policy
automatically becomes necessary–a non-paternal, but very earnest
interest must be taken in the affairs of the employees. We fully
appreciate the responsibility we have for these men, and it is our
aim and wish that the business be so managed that we will never
kick out the used up or broken wrecks onto society, as has been
practiced by some industries in the past.’
This book gives a window into the mind of a great inventor–his
hobbies, such as gun collecting and boating, his
‘retirements’ to Florida, then California, his family life.
There are, as well, intriguing mentions of numerous Cummins
‘firsts,’ such as the 1930 demonstration of an
Allis-Chalmers crawler with a 60 bhp model U Cummins engine.
In addition, we hear about the many individuals who worked
closely with Cummins at the company, and those elsewhere in the
field whose work influenced him and whose advice he sometimes
followed.
The book has been written by Cummins’ youngest son, Lyle,
who had a unique opportunity to work with his father as an engineer
late in Clessie’s life. Fortunately, a great deal of material
was available to him, particularly in the form of personal
correspondence, giving the reader a very precise idea of how
Cummins himself saw things. Clessie himself was extremely
articulate, and forthright in expression.
The footnotes are extensive, and often fascinating as well!
The hardback book has 25 drawings, and 110 glossy photos. It can
be ordered from Carnot Press, PO Box 1544, Lake Oswego, Oregon
97035, for $37.00 plus $2.00 postpaid. We recommend it!
Linda Weidman
