Carl G Fisher, Promotional Genius
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- Опубликовано: 16 июн 2024
- Despite suffering from acute astigmatism and dropping out of school at age 12, Carl G. Fisher went from one huge project to another, constantly finding success in unexpected places through a combination of grit, ingenuity, and dedication. He helped to start the Indianapolis Speedway, build the first interstate highways in the country, and build the city of Miami Beach. He lived a life that deserves to be remembered.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
Special thanks to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum:
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You can purchase the bow tie worn in this episode at The Tie Bar:
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Script by JCG
#ushistory #thehistoryguy #Indianapolismotorspeedway
I have one of the original bricks of the Speedway when they completely rebuilt the track. Sits on my mantle to this day.
May be worth its weight in silver, at least to someone.
That's awesome!
I have heard back in the day there were piles of bricks outside the track for years. Just about every curious boy in speedway had a few bricks they brought back from those heaps.
😲❤️
What a great man in a visionary...
Mr H did you speak to the new head of the educational system?
Kids and students are bored out of their Mind...
Your work would help educate little kids into,,,, interested middle aged kids...
Too inquisitive older kids...
Im astounded that this man is hardly known. He basically developed America"s Infrastructure .Where is the mini series about him? Amazing , thankyou
I've never even heard of him till today, what a legend!
Edward Bernays,had more influence,than C.Fisher
Perhaps THG,could present an accurate presentation on that individual.......
He didn't kill anyone in horrible ways, so is boring for people.
I grew up near Indianapolis, and particularly at "the track", so I know about Fisher's contributions to the automotive and racing world, but I had no idea he was involved in so many projects. I now live in Iowa, and I often drive on one of the original "seedling mile" sections of the Lincoln Highway. This was a great bit of history, thanks History Guy!
That's awesome. I have never been in a town with a seedling mile section, but I plan to on some future trip. If I go about 80 miles south I hit US30 in a section of western Ohio that does not really have.....alot of anything. Sweet video overall.
It’s interesting how often history is peppered with names of obscure people who’s original thinking started projects that impact our lives.
and they say miami FL is sinking mostly from climate change 🤔 well now look it's man made land 1890-1960's ish out of dredging sand out of the ocean floor so maybe that's the real reason for the land movement? ps not a tree 🌳hugger
Cool to see a video about my great great uncle :)
Happy Holidays Everyone 😁
I’m also a Lana! Born Lana Dawn Logsdon, but my parents always called me by my middle name. I DIDN’T do that to our children lol) Nice to see another Lana. It’s rare, isn’t it? Merry Christmas!
Joyeux Noel a tu! Mon amie!
He may have been a huckster, but getting the Lincoln Highway project started is in itself a pretty good achievement.
Thank you so very much for your video about Carl G. Fisher! His name has a strong and proud legacy in Indianapolis. Along with Allison, Wheeler and Louis Chevrolet.
Seldom seen quote of Carl Fisher is when he was ask about what he wanted out of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he replied "I hope that someday the people of Indiana will look back at what we have accomplished here with a certain amount of pride." It wasn't about money it wasn't about fame. He just wanted to do something that his fellow citizens of Indiana could be proud of.
Over the years, I had learned bits and pieces of all of these projects without ever knowing of the man behind them all. Thanks for sharing history that deserves to be remembered.
I was anticipating a story about "Body by Fisher' due to the automotive angle. Must be another family of Fisher industrialists?
Yes, the Fisher brothers of Fisher Body are apparently unrelated to Carl G Fisher.
I was under the same impression, it was still a great and extremely informative video
Carl Fisher was a genius. I have my own "six degrees of separation" with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. my late brother in law's cousin was Ray Haroun, the first winner of the 500. Ray also gave the world a fantastic and useful invention that helped him win that first race. He invented the rearview mirror. That allowed him to run the race without an onboard mechanic. If someone ever added up all the safety innovations from that race track they would be amazed. It may be that millions of lives have been saved by those developments.
Ray is buried at Memorial Park in Anderson, same as my grandparents
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New to You and to All.
One of the most affluent enclaves in America is an island in the intercoastle off Miami Beach, Fisher Island!
I 'll have to look that up!
@@maryerb6062 save yourself the trouble. I'm a locksmith & safe technician, then a resident of Miami, I road the Fischer island ferry to open or repair many locks & safes on Fisher Island. Such a beautiful piece of history.
@@jimrenderer6627 you didn’t explain why she should save herself the trouble :-/
Thank you for telling Carl Fisher's story. His insight and promotion were crucial in the growth of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis 500 is truly "The greatest spectacle in racing".
I grew up on Miami Beach and there are many things there named after Fisher (most famously Fisher Island). He truly was the founder of that city and I am glad he is getting some recognition.
Well let's not forget about John S Collins who build the bridge to get Miami Beach started. Oh and it was him who named that mangrove swamp, Miami Beach. The bridge project ran out of money so he borrowed the money from Carl Fisher in exchange for the land south of 5th street. That's when Carl Fisher got the party started. John Collins finished the bridge and here came the concrete and bricks Carl Fisher could build with. True stuff
@@TSemasFl The history of S. Florida is really interesting. Flagler and Brickell is all I remember learning about in school, but there were many other people with a vision of what could be made out of a swamp. I just wished they hadn't dredged up all the coral (not that anyone really cared about that back then).
@@harryganz1 I wish they didn't blow up the class 3 rapids on the Miami River and drege it for ships
I love how this episode keys into the Brickyard episode you did some time back
I have to wonder how many people, like Carl, have been forgotten after making contributions that are taken for granted nowadays.
As a huge fan of the Indy 500 for most of my life, I have to tell you that this is a great tribute to Mr. Fisher! Thanks, THG!
For most of my life I lived near Route 30, otherwise known as Lincoln Highway. I drove on it more times than I can count. I had no idea who Carl Fisher was then. Now I'll never forget, because like all good history he deserves to be remembered. Thank you, sir. 👍🏻
Born and raised in Detroit, I often drove on US 24 in Oakland County aka the"Dixie" highway. I would occasionally cogitate on the name but only to the extent that I was aware it headed south. I was pleased and delighted to discover the derivation of the name. A nice remnant of the early days of motoring. Thanks history guy.
There are a number of driveable sections of the Lincoln Highway that remain unpaved to this day. It feels like going back in time.
The crazy thing is that over 100 years later the Wheeler Schebler, Prestolite and National factories and still standing here in Indianapolis as well as the Motor Speedway. I drive on a section of the Lincoln Highway daily.
Thank You. Never heard of Carl Fisher. Truly fits your title. History deserves to be remembered.
Very good post.
I already have read much about Carl Fisher from interest in the Lincoln Highway. You filled in a lot of details that I didn't know. His sadder ending seems far too common among people that achieve great things. By my God's help I hope to end well. No one will do history reports on me, but I trust that my legacy will live well in the lives of people I influence.
I lived in Greensburg Indiana the first 30 years of my life and had never heard of Mr Fisher until now. Thank you History Guy.
Side story: during his time in Miami Beach, Carl Fisher bought a baby elephant named “Rosie” to use for promotional purposes. She helped clear debris from the beach and posed for photos with tourists. He trained her to act as a golf caddy and even let guests stand on her head, pretending to putt the ball off of her. She was not treated well, to say the least. In 1932 Fisher decided she cost more in food than she made in promotional value so he sold her to Coca-Cola heir Asa Candler, Jr., of Atlanta, GA, who was building a private zoo at his estate. Rosie was billed as the world’s largest and meanest elephant (neither were likely to be true). She would only tolerate one trainer, who moved to Atlanta with her as part of the deal. By 1935 the private zoo was insolvent and Rosie was sold to a circus, and she died just a few years later.
Thanks for that sad but interesting footnote
5 B zaz
What a Disgusting!!! way he treated his elephant 😔
Note that at least one project bears his name, Fisher Island, accessible only by private craft or ferry from the Port of Miami. When the wind is just right, the wealthy inhabitants of Fisher Island catch the smell from the sewage processing plant farther out to sea.
My GF’s 96 yo Grandmother who is still alive as of this writing in May of 2022 just told us that her father worked for Carl Fisher back in the 1920s in Miami where Fisher was building roads and railways. Instead of using horse teams to haul carts of material, he had a pair of elephants, one famously named “Rosie” whom Grandmother said “was the more tractable of the two.” As such, Rosie would pull the area children in a cart to Sunday School-as long as they were old enough to be trusted to not jump out of the cart, “about three years old.” I was ready to hear her say 10 and up! Well that was our recent brush with History, Live and 1st Hand Account.
The greatest people you never heard of...
We live two blocks from the original Lincoln Highway, here in Lodi, CA and it is marked with the traditional red, white, and blue concrete posts... with Mr. Lincoln's bronze medallion affixed. I have driven it (mostly Hwy. 50) from here to Kansas; on the way home I took Rte. 66 from Oklahoma, to Hwy. 99 in CA. Then, on 99, north... straight to Lodi.
Hereabouts, the old highway is known as "Lower Sacramento Rd.". The locals just say "Lower Sac". The Nevada portion of 50/Lincoln Highway, of course, is deemed "America's Loneliest Road"... and I LOVE it. The wife and I have a few Rte. 66 road trips under our belts; now I need to take her "down the Lincoln".
I have so much more to contribute (as is the life of a retired history teacher), but this is YOUR show.
Carl Fisher’s tower stands to this day in the center of Montauk village on the easternmost tip of Long Island, NY
He also built Montauk Manor, that is also still standing and in use. Edit... I answered before finishing the video, my bad.
Good morning from the corner of Torrance ave and Lincoln Highway in Ford Heights, Illinois
I lived in Miami Most of my life and Carl Fisher literally put the foundation down on what we know today as Miami Beach and Miami-Dade County Florida!
"Miami Beach...20 miles of sand in search of a city"
What a remarkable man.
Thank you THG !
I've just been schooled about a person I never heard of but had a great influence in my life. Thanks.
Responsible for the Lincoln Highway! Carl G. Fisher all the way. And, the Dixie Highway (US41) from the MI UP to the tip of Florida! A REAL road warrior.
Truly forgotten history, never heard of the man but I certainly should have. Thanks HG for another great lesson
As in Indianapolis-area native, these stories about the Brickyard and Automotive history really speak to me. Thank you!
Thank you for this video. I'm currently watching it about 4 blocks away from the Carl Fisher Elementary school and 2 blocks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in what used to be a Union Carbide building.
Once again The History Guy brings to light significant, historically important times and people in history that deserve to be remembered.
Thanks H.G. 👍
Truely, this is "history that deserves to be remembered".
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum is a spectacle worth visiting. I went there in 2014 and learned so much about early 20th century mechanical engineering.
Lincoln Highway runs right through my town. 😎🇺🇸
An unsung hero.
I am born,raised and still live in Greensburg In thanks for this piece of history. I've read about Fishers exploits and is nice to have them shared by THG
My wife teaches at the school in Indianapolis named after Carl.
I went to that school back in the 80s. Still live in speedway😀
Seems to me somebody should write his story into a screenplay for F.F. Coppala's next film. What a tale.
I can't remember where i saw a documentary on Mr. Fisher, but one does exist. should help the writers with their research, lot's of tales from Palm Beach to the Keys.
Even though I don't live in Miami proper, I found out about this guy not long after I moved to southeastern Florida. I'd heard he had *something* to do with the Indy 500 but the Long Island connection was new to me. Thanks for filling in the gaps.
Thank you Sir for this history on a little known but important figure from my home town
How can't I like a History Guy episode?
I would love to see The History Guy get his own show on PBS or something, he’s an amazing orator that truly loves what he does and that inspires others to do the same.
Surprised that there was no mention of "Fisher's Folly", the railway from Miami to Key West. As a native Hoosier from Indianapolis, I remembered many of Carl Fisher's accomplishments, but I didn't know of his involvement in the Lincoln and Dixie Highways! Thanks, THG!
At the start / finish line of the Indianapolis Speedway is a row of bricks preserved from the past.
I had heard bits and pieces of the Carl Fisher story over the years and assumed that the city of Fishers, IN and Fisher Autobody were named after him. I guess I assumed wrong. He was even more interesting than I thought!
I attended Marian University in Indianapolis -- located about two miles from the Brickyard. On the grounds are two mansions -- the Fisher Mansion and the Allison Mansion. One served as the library when I was there, and the other was the Music Ed department. Absolutely gorgeous buildings -- including a marble solarium in one of them, which became the reading room. I recall the fun of being in the library and knowing that if I needed a break there was an amazing swimming pool right downstairs in the basement. Tuition was so cheap then, and yet somehow you felt that you could enjoy just a little of what the Allisons and the Fishers had. Happy times.
Being from Indy, I love these!!
I read a book on Carl Fisher when I was in high school, I think it was called "The Brickyard Genius" but I'm not sure. His contributions to the automotive industry were many and this video, though very good, just isn't long enough to highlight his amazing life. His life is definitely history that needs to be remembered. His part in the Lincoln Highway is especially important because it highlights that the idea of private companies doing better then government is well illustrated as being false. A government that can issue debt in it's own currency is always better set up for big projects in the national interests. America has spent billions making sure we have the huge, excellent, road and highway system we have today.
What a amazing story about a man I have never heard of before. Now I know. You sir & your wife are great teachers. Thank you sir.
Two videos in 6 months that feature the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?!?! You must be auditioning to take over for track historian Donald Davidson when he retires at the end of the month! 😁👍
Donald is an amazing guy, and we have very much enjoyed working with him and benefitting from his expertise! We have done two in six months because the great folks at the IMS Museum invited us to work with them. We anticipate more episodes in the future. Special thanks to everyone at the museum! indyracingmuseum.org/
ruclips.net/user/cepindy
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, @IMSMuseum
You and Donald Davidson are cut from the same cloth, IMHO...👍
Really puts it into perspective when you realize the summation of your life will be that you bought a house in once.
Good point. Sad... but still good.👍
Great job as always~!
Thanks~!
What can I do I'm only one man. Just ask Mr. Fisherwhat one man can do.
Captain video; to the Moon and beyond~!
It always takes someone with vision to make great things happen. Happy Christmas to Mr. & Mrs. History Guy and the cat.
Hey, History Guy, seeing "Prest-o-light" and "prest-o-starter" sparked me thinking of National Pressure Cooker Company (Now Presto) and the time (1946 to 1954) they manufactured Martin Outboard motors under license from George Martin. Perhaps this is history that deserves to be remembered.
My grandma once told me about the trip her family took in 1924, driving from Chicago to New York (I think to visit her uncle). The roads were still pretty inconsistent even then, and places to stay were also not a guarantee. They camped on the side of the road several times. For a 12 year old, it was a fun, memorable month!
Excellent episode as usual. The second time, I recall, the speedway was mentioned in one of your episodes. Good learning from you. Thank ou
We have very much enjoyed and appreciated working with the great folks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
This guy hit a lot of problems like factories exploding and car wrecks but he kept going, incredible!
Love Indy. Great video as usual. Thank you.
Thank you for introducing us to this great man whom I had never heard of before. This is the reason I come to this channel. It always teaches me things that no teacher or history class could or did. For that I thank you.
The Lincoln highway went (goes) through the town in Pennsylvania I grew up in. You even showed a photo of the bridge spanning the Delaware River (still in use today) that I worked at and maintained.
Used to live on the Lincoln Highway in Kearney NE.
WOW W0W....Concgrats on the great audio you are welcome....An a fine History video as well...Thanks
I drive the Lincoln Highway every day!
I did a high school history project of him on PowerPoint but it got wired when the high school history project had to present it to English class... I was flabbergasted when it was my turn to present my PowerPoint I felt awkward but after my presentation sure not a lot of classmates were interested but I gave them a try but I felt confident doing my best... In my opinion Carl Fisher is the best entrepreneur in America who followed his dreams by working hard! I’m sure he’s definitely proud seeing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all the projects what he was best known for... God bless him!
What a wonderful tribute, simply glorious. Immense thanks for producing this video. Yes, he deserves to be remembered as one of history's most successful giants. What a man
Thanks again, you have done a wonderful job reviving his well deserved memory.
Again, The History Guy has shown us how one person can change the world. An excellent piece of automotive history still being enjoyed today. I wonder what Carl would say if he saw the 500 today, or took a drive to Montauk today on one of our modern super highways?
Very cool video, living just north of The Lincoln Hwy and just west of Dixie Hwy. I knew about the Lincoln Hey, but not the Dixie Hwy. Always wondered why we have a Dixie Hwy in Michigan and Ohio...now I know.
Being from northern Indiana, I had family members, farmers, who leases their horse teams and themselves to run drag buckets in building the Lincoln Hy.
Thanks Lance for this inspiring Bio video! Bill McIntosh here
We need people like this today.
I grew up in Brownsburg on the west side of Indianapolis. Dad worked at Alison Transmission on the radio. Funny another story, the heavy truck transmissions liked certain grades, angles of roadways so they would road-test the trucks on I-70 on the southwest side of Indianapolis which was still under construction. I have no idea where or how they got permission to drive on that section of that roadway before completion. Ah, those were the days.
As a long-time fan of the Indy 500, and former resident of Speedway, Indiana, I knew that Carl Fisher was one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Also that he had been important to the development of south Florida real estate. But I didn't know how important he was to creating the Lincoln and Dixie highways.
Another historical connection that The History Guy mentioned was Jim Allison. One of Fisher's co-founders of the IMS, Allison founded an organization called the Indianapolis Speedway Team Company that was blocks away from the track and prepared cars to run there. The company evolved to be the Allison Engineering Company, and rebuilt Liberty aircraft engines from WW1, engineered derivatives of that engine, and created gearbox drive systems for US airships. They eventually designed the Allison V-1710 engine that powered WW2 aircraft such as the P-38, P-40, and early versions of the P-51, and went on to make gas turbine engines and heavy-duty automatic transmissions that continue in service today.
Thanks History Guy. The beat goes on.
Wow! I have spent my life in the South Bend Indiana area and never truly understood the history of South Bend's two main highways: LincolnWay and Dixie Hwy.
Thank you History Guy!
I travel on US 30 about one a week. In the south suburbs of Chicago, Lincoln Highway and Dixie Highway intersect.
Thanks to him...I've driven along parts of the Lincoln Highway away from the Interstate.
What an amazing man and such an amazing story.
Another interesting man concerning roads and other things is Sam Hill. He built the Maryhill all concrete mansion and the concrete Stonehenge. All while pushing for good roads.
This guy was a pioneer in things you can throw off a building
I remember a "Body by Fisher" sign on a car we had when I was a kid in the 70s.
The Fisher brothers of Fisher Body were unrelated to Carl G Fisher
@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Wow, that's interesting. Thanks!
Love you THG!!
Tha"t one answered a question I have had for years. "Why is there a strech of road of road in Middletown Ohio named 'The Dixie Highway'"?
Hello everyone, I was thinking about places i have lived and have lived within a few miles of the Dixie Hwy, in Ky, Oh, and In. I now live in SW Pa and less than 2 miles from Lincoln Hwy. I also lived in Indianapolis In, and Miami Fl, funny how places connected to Mr Fischer also connected to my life.
I live in Louisville and part of The Dixie Highway is actually a city street here.
@@MrEazyE357 I lived in Louisville for a couple of years also, plus in Northern KY and it was also a city street there.
The history guy, just about the only good thing about having to get up and go to work day after day. At least I get to listen to something new and intriguing on my drive.
Get a Bluetooth and listen to this while you’re working too!!
@@jefferyepstein9210 not a bad idea and I do when I can, between tones. Once we've woo-woo'd out of the station I'm unable, and we're spending a lot of time in the rig nowadays.
@@jefferyepstein9210 I knew you were alive
Wow! That was fascinating! I had never heard of him. Love your videos.
His legacy is not helped by the existence of the unrelated Fisher Brothers, who were major players in the Detroit auto industry and were not shy about promoting the Fisher name.
Here in Fairfield California the Lincoln Highway runs right down the middle of the town... thank you for another wonderful lesson in history.:)
9:18, is the Trenton makes world takes bridge. I love this. Thanks for including this
Sounds like a very unique individual to me because not only could he invent products or generate ideas but could turn a profit. Sounds like he had true grit
Thank you History Guy for another great video.