Louis H. Schwitzer Explained

Louis Schwitzer
Birth Name:	Louis H. Schwitzer
Birth Date:	29 February 1880
Birth Place:	Bielitz, Silesia, Austria, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Death Place:	Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Module1:	Embed: yes Total Champ Races: 1 Years In Champ: 1 First Champ Race: 1910 Wheeler-Schebler Trophy (Indianapolis) Champ Wins: 0 Champ Podiums: 0 Champ Poles: 0

Louis H. Schwitzer (February 29, 1880 – May 9, 1967) was an American engineer.

Engineering career

Schwitzer was influential in designing hydraulics for use in bus transportation. He also pioneered improvements in automotive cooling fans, water pumps and oil pumps, and the turbocharger.^[1] Schwitzer made a fortune in business and became a philanthropist.^[2] The Student Center at the University of Indianapolis bears his name, as did a women's dormitory at nearby Butler University.

Racing career

Schwitzer also competed in a few early automobile races. As a driver, Schwitzer won the first event held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a five-mile race on August 19, 1909.^[3] He is known to have started five races at IMS during 1909 and 1910.^{[3] [4]} He also drove relief, for Harry Cobe, in the first Indianapolis 500.^{[5] [6]} Schwitzer served on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Technical Committee from 1912 through 1945.^[1]

Legacy

In recognition of Schwitzer's contributions to the early developmental history of American motorsports, the Louis H. Schwitzer Award for Design Innovation is presented annually after each running of the Indianapolis 500.

In 1970, Schwitzer was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.^[7]

Schwitzer is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.^[8]

References

http://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/sites/default/files/Indianapolis_Speedway_William_Borque.pdfhttp://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/05/20/461933.html

Notes and References

1. Kollins, Michael J.; "Louis Schwitzer performance pioneer had a hand in many Indianapolis automotive firms;" Wheels-Journal of the National Automotive History Collection; Winter/Spring 1998; Detroit Public Library. Article reprint posted at Web site: Cruise-IN.com: "Marque of the Month" featuring a look at the people and companies who were part the Indiana's automotive history . 2009-02-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/19990208223625/http://www.cruise-in.com/resource/cismar03.htm . 1999-02-08 .
2. Higgins, Will; "Indy racing pioneer's Louis Schwitzer's Art Deco decor to be sold Saturday;" Indianapolis Star; October 4, 2013
3. Scott, D. Bruce; INDY: Racing Before the 500; Indiana Reflections; 2005; .
4. Galpin, Darren; A Record of Motorsport Racing Before World War I.
5. Web site: ChampCarStats.com - The Champ Car and Indy Car Online Stats Warehouse.
6. Web site: Home | Motorsport Stats.
7. Web site: Louis Schwitzer Sr. (Automotive Hall of Fame) . 2020-11-30.
8. News: Indianapolis Auto greats . . Celebrating Automotive Heritage at Crown Hill Cemetery . 2011 . 2012-09-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120913203018/http://crownhillhf.org/docs/IndianapolisAutoGreatsHandout.pdf . 2012-09-13 .