Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Carl G. Fisher

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[edit] Carl G. Fisher

This is a self-nomination. I was working on another subject, and hit a red internal link. I was surprised to learn Wikipedia didn't already have an article on this remarkable man. The fellow was a child with a severe a sight-impairment disability who got into bicycle and auto racing, who helped and promote sealed beam headlights, opened what is believed to be the first automobile dealership, caused the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to became paved for safety reasons, was the driving force behind the Lincoln Highway (the first U.S. transcontinental paved roadway), and the north-south Dixie Highway which led to Florida where he became a real estate developer and helped turn a barren and isolated beach area into the resort city of Miami Beach, Florida. Although he lost his fortune in the U.S. Stock Market Crash in the late 1920s, and died in modest conditions while fighting alcoholism, considering himself a failure, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential in Florida history. As I believe seems true with better Wikipedia articles, this article benefited from collaboration, especially some good tweaking by User:Niteowlneils. The images are from the U.S. Library of Congress. Book and Internet references provided. Vaoverland 19:05, Mar 11, 2005 (UTC)

• Minor comment on first glance - has it been established that alcoholism is an inherited trait? Alcoholism doesn't seem to say anything about it. --SPUI (talk) 22:16, 11 Mar 2005 (UTC)
  • I removed the descriptions as "an inherited trait", as I could not find where that statement originated in the sources. It should suffice that the father had it, and later it was a problem for the son as well. Reader can draw any inference appropriate (learned behavior, heredity, coincidence, etc.) Does this edit satisfactorily address your legitimate concern? Vaoverland 23:09, Mar 11, 2005 (UTC)
• Support, but I'd like to see more photos; are there any photos of the places before or just after Mr. Fisher was involved? I've gone through with a quick copy edit to fix some grammar and links. slambo 19:25, Mar 15, 2005 (UTC)

I will go to Library of Congress website and search for more photos. Vaoverland 23:20, Mar 15, 2005 (UTC)

I added a nice b&w racing photo of him from Library of Congress collection. There are also many Lincoln Highway photos but none which tie directly to Fisher, who was of course, its founding force. There is a nice color photo used in the WP Indianapolis Motor Speedway article. Suggestions for other photos or improvements, anyone? Vaoverland 21:05, Mar 17, 2005 (UTC)

If I could strengthen my support on this one, I would now. Well done! slambo 00:14, Mar 24, 2005 (UTC)

• Support. I've made some minor changes, but overall it looks complete. -- BRIAN0918  23:39, 17 Mar 2005 (UTC)
• Support. Fisher was a major figure in the U.S. of his time. He might be more admired in the Libertarian quarters of today as he advocated the idea that the auto industry should fund roadways. -- Cecropia | explains it all ® 05:14, 21 Mar 2005 (UTC)
• Support. Well I suppose this is worthless me even posting this, but I think it has pretty much all it needs before turning into a hard, boring book. It has valid childhood and career descriptions, and you can find pretty much everything you want to know about Fisher plus nice little bits on the side. Speedway 15:55, 21 Mar 2005 (UTC)
• Support. Good article on an obscure figure, the sort of person Wikipedia is perfect for. I have a book on the Lincoln Highway and have read it but Fisher's name did not register with me. A few quibbles:

He was named an influential Floridian. By whom?

I had already provided the source under references, but have added to text. [1]

Memorial Day 1911 is mentioned with the Speedway. Could you add the specific date as well?

May 30, 1911, added to text

The length of the Lincoln Highway is noted but about how long was the Dixie Highway? (I was just on the latter this morning as it happens.)

In research, I have not found yet found a written description of exact length, or even exact routing. This is really hard, because apparently, the Dixie Highway designation included several parallel route links and spurs. There is 1923 map at a this link which would clarify that problem. [2].

In the section on his headlight business, there's a sentence talking about the many factories springing up. Does that refer to auto factories or his headlight factories?

I intended to refer to the auto factories. I have reworded for better clarity.

All these are small points which in no way keep me from saying: Good job, Vaoverland. PedanticallySpeaking 17:24, Mar 21, 2005 (UTC)

• Support with the one minor quibble that it would be good to have a separate "external links" and "see also" section so that people can put links for more information without claiming that they were used to write the article. --Andrew 19:13, Mar 21, 2005 (UTC)

I personally like the "see also" section at the end of article for easy travel to related subjects after reading an article. However, if they have already been linked in the article, which also seems appropriate, then I I am under an impression that this is not the WP way to do it. I'd love to change this article do do that. Comments? Vaoverland 02:06, Mar 22, 2005 (UTC)

• Support. I would, however, suggest that the listing of the two books near the end of the body of the article is made redundant by their (quite correct) inclusion in the Sources section. --Theo (Talk) 01:07, 22 Mar 2005 (UTC)

I have separated the true external links only from the ones which were sources of factual content for the article. I prefer to credit quotes of any length from sources directly as used in the article as well, which seems a bit redundant. Also, in some cases, who said it (IE his ex-wife) makes a difference to comprehending the article itself. If anyone else can help with doing this better, its all good with me, as getting this to become the quality of a FA is all about collaboration. Thanks for the comments and support, all. Mark in Richmond Vaoverland 02:06, Mar 22, 2005 (UTC)

Update: After suggestion from another WP user, I have clarified the routing of the Dixie Highway to eliminate possible misinformation not material to this article, and improved the lead slightly. Vaoverland 04:23, Mar 22, 2005 (UTC)

Update: Image source from another user produced a nice grand opening photo of the Collins Bridge. Vaoverland 04:52, Mar 22, 2005 (UTC)

Update: another image added from the Florida Photographic Collection (great additional resource for PD photos for WP as suggested by SPUI). There are more, but I think we probably have a good balance now. Vaoverland 01:19, Mar 24, 2005 (UTC)