Wheeler-Schebler Carburetor Company
Encyclopedia
The Wheeler—Schebler Carburetor Company Building was one of the Indianapolis
’s most important auto parts manufacturers
and the last automobile parts factories in Indianapolis, Indiana
to survive from the first decades of the 20th century
.
. Harry Stutz worked temporarily as Sales Manager. By 1907, they had achieved enough success to move to Indianapolis and into a state-of-the-art building, a plant that reportedly was one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States.
Frank Wheeler, as it was he and three other local men who opened the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) in 1909, with Frank Wheeler’s name appearing on the winners trophy from 1911-35 known as the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race
, a Tiffany-designed silver urn for Indy 500 winners. Meanwhile, George Schebler sold his interests in the company in 1912, but it continued to operate under a banner bearing his name for many years afterward, until 1928 saw it evolve into the Marvel-Schebler Carburetor Company, one of five companies to play a role in the development of the organization that would become known world-wide as Borg-Warner Corporation
.
Moving forward, Marvel-Schebler did some of the early work connected with developing fuel-injection systems in the late 1950’s and early 60’s, continuing on in business and eventually merging with the Tillotson Carburetor Company in 1971. In 1985, the name was revised to “Control Systems” by the parent company, Borg-Warner, who went through a leveraged buyout in 1987 and ceased to exist; in the wake of the buyout, Borg Warner Automotive Inc. was spun off as an independent company, and is still in operation, developing fuel efficient engine and drive train technology. To this day, the trinket awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 is known as the Borg-Warner Trophy
.
The original Wheeler-Schebler building still survives; it has been renamed the “Wheeler Arts Community” and is located on what is referred to as the “near south side” of Indianapolis at 1035 East Sanders Street.
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
’s most important auto parts manufacturers
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
and the last automobile parts factories in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
to survive from the first decades of the 20th century
20th century
Many people define the 20th century as running from January 1, 1901 to December 31, 2000, others would rather define it as beginning on January 1, 1900....
.
History
This factory had produced carburetors for over 15 makes of autos from 1911 up to 1951. In 1904, Harry Stutz, who was involved in the design and manufacture of internal combustion engines, introduced George Schebler to Frank W. Wheeler thus partnership was formed. Frank provided the money, while George provided brains and engineering skillsMechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. Harry Stutz worked temporarily as Sales Manager. By 1907, they had achieved enough success to move to Indianapolis and into a state-of-the-art building, a plant that reportedly was one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States.
Frank Wheeler, as it was he and three other local men who opened the IMS (Indianapolis Motor Speedway) in 1909, with Frank Wheeler’s name appearing on the winners trophy from 1911-35 known as the Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race
Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race
The Wheeler-Schebler Trophy Race was an automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in each of the two years prior to the first Indianapolis 500. The trophy was sponsored by the Wheeler-Schebler Carburetor Company. Frank Wheeler, one of the four co-founders of the Speedway, was also...
, a Tiffany-designed silver urn for Indy 500 winners. Meanwhile, George Schebler sold his interests in the company in 1912, but it continued to operate under a banner bearing his name for many years afterward, until 1928 saw it evolve into the Marvel-Schebler Carburetor Company, one of five companies to play a role in the development of the organization that would become known world-wide as Borg-Warner Corporation
BorgWarner
BorgWarner Inc. is a United States-based worldwide automotive industry components and parts supplier. It is primarily known for its powertrain products, which include manual and automatic transmissions and transmission components, , turbochargers, engine valve timing system...
.
Moving forward, Marvel-Schebler did some of the early work connected with developing fuel-injection systems in the late 1950’s and early 60’s, continuing on in business and eventually merging with the Tillotson Carburetor Company in 1971. In 1985, the name was revised to “Control Systems” by the parent company, Borg-Warner, who went through a leveraged buyout in 1987 and ceased to exist; in the wake of the buyout, Borg Warner Automotive Inc. was spun off as an independent company, and is still in operation, developing fuel efficient engine and drive train technology. To this day, the trinket awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 is known as the Borg-Warner Trophy
Borg-Warner Trophy
The Borg-Warner Trophy, named for United States automotive supplier BorgWarner, is symbolic of victory in the Indianapolis 500 automobile race...
.
The original Wheeler-Schebler building still survives; it has been renamed the “Wheeler Arts Community” and is located on what is referred to as the “near south side” of Indianapolis at 1035 East Sanders Street.