David Buick

Science / Inventor Datebook: September 17

American Motor Inventor

David Dunbar Buick (September 17, 1854 – March 5, 1929) was an American inventor born in Scotland. He is best known for founding the Buick Motor Company.

He was born in Arbroath, Angus, Scotland. The family moved to Detroit, Michigan, USA, as emigrants when he was only two years old.  He left school in 1869 and worked for a company which made plumbing products.  The company ran into trouble in 1882 that led Buick and a partner to take it over. During this time, Buick began to show his leanings as an inventor. He produced many innovations including a lawn sprinkler, and a method for permanently coating cast iron and vitreous enamel. With the combination of Buick's innovation and his partner's sound business management the company became quite successful.



Buick Motor Company

In the 1890s, Buick became interested in internal combustion engines, spending little time on the plumbing business. As a result, his business partner became impatient. Eventually, the partnership was dissolved and the company was sold.

Buick concentrated on engines full time and he now had capital. He set up a new company, the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company, in 1899.  Although the initial aim of the company was to market engines for agricultural use, he turned to the development of a complete car, rather than just an engine. He also concentrated on research and development at the expense of manufacturing and sales. By early 1902, his capital was consumed without generating any significant return, other than a single car.  He set up a second company, the Buick Manufacturing Company, with the twin aims of marketing engines to other car companies and of manufacturing and selling its own cars. Once again manufacturing and development problems got in the way of his financial situation.

Buick's concentration on development produced the revolutionary "Valve-in-Head" overhead valve engine. This method of engine construction produces a much more powerful engine than the rivalside valve engine design which all other manufacturers used at the time. He ran out of money again, this time financially aided by a friend, Benjamin Briscoe. Buick then formed the Buick Motor Company which eventually became the cornerstone of the General Motors empire.


Image Credit:

David Dunbar Buick.  en.wikipedia.org / Public Domain


Resource:

David Dunbar Buick Biography. Accessed Sept 17, 2012


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