A Vision Beyond Sight
Born in 1890 in Hagerstown, Indiana, Ralph Teetor lost his sight at age five due to an accident. Despite his blindness, he developed extraordinary tactile skills, which he credited for his ability to innovate. Encouraged by family, he earned a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
Inspiration on the Road
As president of Perfect Circle, a leading piston ring manufacturer, Teetor frequently relied on others to drive him. Frustrated by jerky driving, he envisioned a device to maintain consistent speeds. In 1950, he patented the “Speed Control Device,” later known as cruise control.
Early Prototypes and Impact
Teetor’s first prototype included a dashboard speed dial and a mechanism to resist pedal pressure. By 1958, Chrysler introduced his invention as a luxury feature, and it soon became a staple in the automotive industry. Cruise control gained widespread use during the 1973 oil embargo for conserving fuel.
A Lasting Legacy
Teetor’s invention bridged the gap to modern autonomous driving technologies. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1988.
In 1890, Ralph Teetor, blinded as a child, grew up to revolutionize driving. His invention, cruise control, addressed erratic driving and paved the way for automotive innovation. From his small Indiana town, Teetor’s genius would change the road forever.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/bhIAdcT44E
— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) January 21, 2025