Post by swi66 on Oct 30, 2007 14:10:15 GMT -5
Here's something that car buffs probably don't know.
Three brothers - Norman Goldberg, Hiram Goldberg, and Maxwell
Goldberg - invented and developed the first automobile air
conditioner.
On July 17, 1946, a day when the temperature in Detroit was 97
degrees, they carried a proposal to Henry Ford's office. Before
his secretary could send them packing, Norman sweet-talked
her into announcing that some men wanted to demonstrate the
greatest automotive innovation since the starter.
Curious, Henry invited them in. Instead, they invited him into
their car.
Norman fired up the engine and activated the unit. Moments
later, the temperature in the cabin dropped from 130 to 70. The
old man grew visibly excited. The four men raced back to the
office, where Ford offered to buy the patent for three million dollars.
The brothers countered, suggesting cash of two million if
Henry would affix 'Goldberg Air Conditioner' on the dash of each
car so equipped.
Henry wasn't about to place a Jewish name on millions of his
cars, so they haggled. Hours later, they settled on four million
dollars plus a dash mounted plate showing the brothers' first
names.
Now you know why, even today, the climate control equipment
in every Ford car reads, 'Norm', 'Hi' and 'Max'
Three brothers - Norman Goldberg, Hiram Goldberg, and Maxwell
Goldberg - invented and developed the first automobile air
conditioner.
On July 17, 1946, a day when the temperature in Detroit was 97
degrees, they carried a proposal to Henry Ford's office. Before
his secretary could send them packing, Norman sweet-talked
her into announcing that some men wanted to demonstrate the
greatest automotive innovation since the starter.
Curious, Henry invited them in. Instead, they invited him into
their car.
Norman fired up the engine and activated the unit. Moments
later, the temperature in the cabin dropped from 130 to 70. The
old man grew visibly excited. The four men raced back to the
office, where Ford offered to buy the patent for three million dollars.
The brothers countered, suggesting cash of two million if
Henry would affix 'Goldberg Air Conditioner' on the dash of each
car so equipped.
Henry wasn't about to place a Jewish name on millions of his
cars, so they haggled. Hours later, they settled on four million
dollars plus a dash mounted plate showing the brothers' first
names.
Now you know why, even today, the climate control equipment
in every Ford car reads, 'Norm', 'Hi' and 'Max'
