Did you know ... Waukesha and the Automobile (added July 2011, updated September 2011)
It is well known that the Waukesha Engine Division (WED), formally the Waukesha Motor Company (WMCo), and still "The Motor Works" to old timers, has long been one of the world-leading manufacturers of medium to large industrial, heavy-duty, internal combustion engines. What is not so well known is that the WED was an early pioneer in the use of multi-cylinder internal combustion engine in automobiles.
Some of the early automobiles that were powered by Waukesha Engines were:
| Klink | Danville, NY | circa 1906-7 |
| Silent Sioux/Fawick Flyer | Sioux Falls, SD | 1908-1912 |
| Waukesha, WI | 1909-1909 | |
| Wausau Flyer | Wausau, WI | 1910-1910 |
| Kendallville Four/Rupp | Kendallville, IN | 1910-1911 |
| Wright | Cumberland, PA | 1910-1911 |
| Staver | Chicago, IL | 1910-1914 |
| Illinois | Galesburg, IL | 1911-1912 |
| Pratt | Elkhardt, IN | 1911-1915 |
| Multiplex | Berwick, PA | 1912-1913 |
| Harris Six | Menasha, WI | circa 1924 |
| Crosley | Cincinnati, Ohio | 1939-1942 |
There were at least two other automobiles that were powered by Waukesha's. During the years 1906 through 1910, the "Motor Works" famed Harold Levan Horning designed and built two automobiles which of course were powered by Waukesha's. One was a snappy roadster for Ralph Emerson, then, secretary of the Modem Steel and Structure on Lincoln Ave. in Waukesha, where Horning had once worked. The other was a touring automobile for Theodor Axelsen, the owner of a local pattern shop.
Did you notice that I listed Waukesha, WI after the Silent Sioux automobile? You may wonder what's that all about? But that's another story for another time.
Rocky
June 1999
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