James A. Allison

American entrepreneur and businessman (1872–1928)

James Asbury Allison (August 11, 1872 – August 3, 1928) was an American entrepreneur and businessman. He was the inventor of the Allison Perfection Fountain Pen and with Carl G. Fisher, founded Prest-O-Lite, a manufacturer of automobile headlights.2

From Wikipedia’s article on James A. Allison (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Aug 11, 1872, died Aug 3, 1928.1

About

Also with Fisher, Frank H. Wheeler, and Arthur C. Newby he was a founder of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500. Allison formed the Indianapolis Speedway Team Company later known as the Allison Experimental Company, and later as the Allison Engine Company which was eventually purchased by General Motors after Allison's death becoming the Allison Division of General Motors, a manufacturer of automotive transmissions (Allison Transmission), aircraft engines (Allison Engine Company), truck engines, and other products.

From Wikipedia’s article on James A. Allison, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

James Allison was born in 1872 in Marcellus, Michigan to Noah and Myra (née Black) Allison. The family moved first to South Bend, Indiana before settling in Indianapolis in 1880. He left school and joined his father's business, Allison Coupon Company, at age 12 in 1884. Just six years later, with the untimely death of his father, James assumed the vice-presidency of the company at age 18 in 1890. During the 1890s Allison became intrigued by the bicycle craze that was sweeping the nation. He joined the Indianapolis-based bicycle group the "Zig-Zag Club," where he met future business partners Carl G. Fisher and Arthur C. Newby. Fisher and Allison would remain confidants the rest of their lives.

From Wikipedia’s article on James A. Allison (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: entrepreneur.6

  • Date not recordedFounded Allison Transmission3
  • Date not recordedFounded Rolls-Royce North America4
  • Date not recordedFounded Allison Engine Company5

Personal life

  • BornAug 11, 1872, Michigan7
  • DiedAug 3, 1928, Indianapolis8
  • CitizenshipUnited States9

Sources

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