Clessie Lyle Cummins (December 27, 1888 – August 17, 1968) was the founder of the Cummins Engine Co. He was an entrepreneur who improved on existing diesel engines, created new diesel engine designs, was awarded 33 United States patents for his inventions, and set five world records for endurance and speed for trucks, buses and race cars.
Early life
Clessie Cummins was born on December 27, 1888, in Columbus, Indiana.
Cummins began his career as a farmboy, and had no formal higher education beyond the eighth grade. Although he didn't have any formal education, he learned to build a steam engine at age 11. In the 1910s Cummins went to work for a banker named William Irwin in Columbus, Indiana, as a chauffeur and mechanic.
Foundation of Cummins Engine Co.
In 1919, Clessie Cummins founded the Cummins Engine Co, Inc (now Cummins, Inc) with the assistance of banker William G. Irwin. At the time of its founding, Cummins developed the first engine as licensee of R.M. Hvid Co. This engine was a 6 hp model designed for use on the farm.
Cummins' former employer, Irwin, invested a great deal of money in Cummins' company.