Wheeler–Schebler Carburetor Company facts for kids
Industry | Manufacturing |
---|---|
Successor | Borg-Warner Corporation |
Founded | 1902 |
Founder | Frank H. Wheeler George Schebler |
Defunct | 1912 (Evolving) 1987 (closed) |
Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
Products | Carburetor |
Owner | Frank H. Wheeler |
Wheeler–Schebler Carburetor Company Building
|
|
![]() |
|
Location | 1234 Barth Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana |
Area | 1.25 acres (0.51 ha) |
Built | 1911-12, 1919-20, 1928 |
Architect | Bohlen & Sons; Herbert L. Bass |
NRHP reference No. | 04000210 |
Added to NRHP | March 22, 2004 |
The Wheeler–Schebler Carburetor Company was a very important company in Indianapolis, Indiana. They made parts for cars, especially carburetors. A carburetor is a device that mixes air and fuel for an engine. It was one of the last car parts factories from the early 1900s to stay open in Indianapolis. The building where they worked, called the Wheeler–Schebler Carburetor Company Building, is now a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
How It Started
In 1904, a man named Harry C. Stutz helped George Schebler meet Frank W. Wheeler. Stutz was good at designing car engines. In their new partnership, Frank Wheeler gave the money, and George Schebler used his amazing engineering skills. Harry Stutz even worked for them for a short time, helping with sales.
By 1907, the company was doing so well that they moved to Indianapolis. They built a brand-new factory. People said it was one of the most modern factories in the whole United States back then! This factory made carburetors for over 15 different types of cars.
Racing and Changes
Frank Wheeler and three other local men started the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909. This is the famous racetrack where the Indianapolis 500 race happens. Before the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, the Wheeler-Schebler company even sponsored its own race there, called the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race.
In 1912, George Schebler sold his part of the company. But the company kept the Wheeler-Schebler name until 1928. Then, it changed into the Marvel-Schebler Carburetor Company. This new company was one of five that helped create a much bigger company called Borg-Warner Corporation.
Modern Times
The Marvel-Schebler company did some early work on fuel injection systems in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Fuel injection is a newer way to get fuel into an engine, often more efficient than a carburetor. Later, in 1971, Marvel-Schebler joined with another company called Tillotson Carburetor Company.
In 1985, the parent company, Borg-Warner, changed the name to "Control Systems." In 1987, Borg-Warner Automotive Inc. became its own company. It still works today, creating new ways to make car engines more fuel-efficient. Even now, the trophy given to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 race is called the Borg-Warner Trophy.
The original Wheeler-Schebler building is still standing today. It used to be a place for artists and education in the Fountain Square area of Indianapolis. It closed in 2018 and is now being turned into new homes.