Henry M. Crane
Henry M. Crane | |
|---|---|
Henry M. Crane, 1924 | |
| Born | Henry Middlebrook Crane June 16, 1874 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | January 21, 1956 (aged 81) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation(s) | Mechanical Engineer Aeronautical Engineer Electrical Engineer Marine Engineer Automobile executive |
| Employer(s) | American Bell Telephone. Western Electric Crane & Whitman Crane Motor Car Company Simplex Automobile Company Crane-Simplex Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation Wright Aeronautical Corporation General Motors |
| Known for | Pontiac Six engine Crane-Simplex cars Dixie speedboat engines |
Henry Middlebrook Crane (June 16, 1874 – January 21, 1956) was an American engineer and pioneer in the automobile industry. He was the president of Crane Motor Car Company, vice president of engineering for the Simplex Automobile Company, and designed the Pontiac Six motor for General Motors.
Crame also designed speedboat motors for three American Power Boat Association Gold Cup champions and three Harmsworth Cup winners. During World War I, he designed and oversaw the production of airplane engines for Wright-Martin which were used by both French and United States warplanes. He also chaired the Liberty Engine Test Committee and helped create Loening Aeronautical Engineering Corporation, which developed and manufactured fighter planes.
In its 1924 silver anniversary issue, the Automobile Trade Journal selected Crane as one of the "Creative Workers" who played a significant role in the development and advancement of the automobile.