We revisited the National Packard Museum in Warren, Ohio. We were there seven years ago. I posted extensively about that visit. So this post covers just a little new material. The first few Packard cars were built here; the rest in Detroit. My connection to the company was as the Packard Electric division of General Motors. I drew car wiring harnesses.
From the sign above:
Although his formal education was limited to correspondence courses received in the mail, Jesse Vincent helped shape Packard into one of America’s most respected automobile manufacturers.
Operating his own blacksmith shop and repairing agricultural implements before he was 10 years old, his most valuable attribute was said to be his ability to think straight. He could look over a design, and in a glance, spot any weak point. He was elected VP of Engineering by the Packard Motor Car Company in 1917 and was more likely to be found under a motor, covered in grease than in his office. Remaining as Packard’s head of engineering until his retirement in 1952, Vincent had left his imprint on every Packard produced since World War I.
He was awarded 162 patents during a 40-year career at Packard Motor Car Company and is credited with more than 400 patents in his lifetime.
President John F. Kennedy bestowed a posthumous certificate of commendation to Jesse Vincent that stated: “Awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of mankind in the Armed Forces of the United States. ” Jesse Vincent was elected to the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1971.
We spent a lot of time looking at all years models to see if they had side view mirrors, especially on the passenger side. Later discovered (via Claude) that driver-side mirrors started to appear in the 40’s and 50’s. In 1968 Federal regulations required a driver-side mirror. The passenger-side mirror was never mandated although they were almost universal by the 80’s. The reason for this scrutiny was a birthday card this year.
My observations to the sender: Thank you, but… Route 66 goes through northern Arizona so there would be no saguaro cactus. It goes south of Monument Valley though so no monuments. AND… cars of that era did not have side-view mirrors, especially on the passenger side. I was then informed I will not be getting any more cards.