Fred Duesenberg

Frederick Samuel Duesenberg, known as Fred Duesenberg, was born on 6 December 1876 and died on 26 July 1932. He was a German-born American automobile and engine designer, manufacturer and sportsman, internationally known as a designer of racecars and racing engines. He is credited with introducing an eight-cylinder engine, the Duesenberg Straight-8, and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, a first for American cars. With his younger brother August he founded the Duesenberg Motor Company in 1913 and helped found the Duesenberg Automobile and Motor Company in 1920, which built passenger cars in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 1921 until 1937, including the Models X, S and J. Duesenberg entries won the Indianapolis 500 in 1924, 1925 and 1927. He died from complications following a car accident in 1932.