Thomas J. Clark
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Originally from New Hampshire, USA, Thomas Jefferson Clark (1869-1907) was a life long friend and partner of John K. Stewart as they built the companies that would one day be the foundation of the Stewart-Warner Corporation of Chicago, Illinois.
Clark, is probably only known today for his Clark Foot Warmers. These small automobile heaters contained coal. The coal embers would emit heat providing some relief in a time when automobiles did not have such options. The production of the coal needed for these heaters violated city smoke regulations and forced Stewart and Clark to build a new plant in Aberdeen, Illinois, about 25 miles west of Chicago.
Clark was an active partner and advisor to John Stewart up until Clark's death during the 1907 Glidden Tour # [1]. Clark was demonstrating the Stewart Speedometer during this rally style event when the Packard he was driving slid off the muddy road and into a ditch.
[edit] References
- Address in Chicago to The Newcomen Society, given by Bennett Archambault, CEO Stewart-Warner Corporation (Oct 24, 1963)
- Bulb Horn magazine 1907 Glidden Tour Retrieved Dec 31, 2004.
- Ron Wiley (2003). Old Engines website; Cooper Engines. Retrieved Dec 31, 2004.