Blind Automotive Engineer Ralph Teetor is credited with inventing cruise control in the 1940’s.
A still image from the preview video on the Blind Logic Productions website at http://www.blindlogicproductions.com/video/
The automotive industry is full of examples of individuals and manufacturers overcoming the odds to drive innovation. There is perhaps no better example than legendary Engineer Ralph Teetor who is credited as the inventor of cruise control.
After suffering a childhood accident that left him completely blind, Teetor designed and built a working automobile at age 13, relying on his considerable mental abilities and his legendary refined sense of touch. Leveraging his impressive intellect, Teetor graduated from the prestigious University of Pennsylvania in 1912 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
“You are not handicapped so long as you can think logically.”
-Ralph Teetor
A still image from the preview video on the Blind Logic Productions website at http://www.blindlogicproductions.com/video/
After college, Teetor joined his family business as Lead Engineer and built a track record of improving designs and spearheading a list of innovations. Due to his blindness, Teetor employed a personal driver who had a habit of varying his speed, much to the chagrin of his perceptive client. In response, Teetor set out to design an automotive speed control device. In 1945, Ralph Teetor earned a patent for his “Speedostat,” which was later renamed “Cruise Control” when General Motors made the feature standard in its line of Cadillacs.
In addition to this impressive invention, Ralph Teetor went on to develop many more product innovations and was even named President of the Society of Automotive Engineers. Ralph Teetor is a shining example that personal obstacles are no match for the creativity and determination of a talented automotive engineer.
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