Carl Graham Fisher

Fifteen articles in this collection document significant events in Carl Fisher’s life. His “palimony” suit with Gertrude Hassler is an interesting example. Another important point is the Zanesville, Ohio county fair horse track accident in September 1903 that involved his teammate Earl Kiser and resulted in the death of several spectators. Also, there is Carl’s wonderful first hand account of his balloon ride when he competed in the Speedway’s first competition – the national balloon championships of June 1909.

Fisher Auto Company Ad

This is an ad for Carl Fisher's automobile dealership that ran in Indianapolis newspapers in 1909, the same year the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was founded. The ad touts one of the makes of car Fisher offered on his showroom floor - products of the National Motor Vehicle Company. The president of National was Arthur C.
1920 Fisher Doodles?

This item is a copy of Fisher Automobile Company stationery with "chicken scratch" handwritten notes. Whoever wrote them - and it could be Carl Fisher - had a lot of ideas bouncing around in their head apparently sometime in 1920 as "1920" is scribbled near the bottom left corner of the page. There are references to Jean Porporato, Dario Resta and Cliff Durant on the page, as well as Frontenac and "Baby" Peugeot. Interesting insight (perhaps) into the kinetic mind of Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl G. Fisher.
Piano Takes Flight

This article is about an Indianapolis area piano store that called on Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl Fisher and his ballooning mentor George Bumbaugh to create a promotional event for them by flying a Baldwin piano over the city in 1912. Inspired by Fisher's car promotion four years earlier when he flew a Stoddard-Dayton automobile over Indianapolis to promote his dealership, the piano store owners hoped to attract the same level of attention.
Jerry Fisher - Carl's Premier Biographer

Carl Fisher Biographer, Jerry FisherJerry Fisher never imagined the consequences of writing what is widely recognized as the premier biography (there are three) of his relative, Carl Graham Fisher when his book, "The Pacesetter," was published in 1998.
When was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Conceived?

A 1917 National Motor Vehicle Company brochure offers an interesting suggestion that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was first conceived by its four founders (Carl Fisher, Frank Wheeler,

More on Death at Zanesville

Thanks to history professor Dr. Elsa Nystrom the attached artilces provide more information on the September 9, 1903 racing accident involving Carl Fisher at Zanesville, Ohio. It's interesting to note that the details around this event are anything but certain. Different articles contradict each other. Some indicate that both Carl Fisher and his partner Earl Kiser were riding together in the Mohawk racer, others indicate they were driving identical cars.
George Bumbaugh and Count Zeppelin

This is an interesting article about another record attempt by Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Carl Fisher's ballooning mentor George Bumbaugh. Bumbaugh was out to smash a balloon endurance record established by the renowned Count Ferdinand Zeppelin.
Fisher's Airship

Carl Fisher was a curious man and embraced the leading edge technology of the day. In addition to automobiles and other motor powered vehicles such as powerboats, Fisher was fascinated by the emerging capabilities of air travel. He was among the first Americans to become a licensed balloonist and eventually hosted the Wright Brothers among others at the first national air show at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1910.
Glenns Valley Hill Climb - 1906

These articles report on the first hill climb contests held in the Indianapolis area in May 1906. Three are from the Indianapolis News and one is from the Indianapolis Star. I want to note that this contest was conducted within a week of the Decoration Day races held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
"Skip" Fisher

Carl Fisher lived during an age of invention during the late 19th and early 20th Century that brought us the telephone, the automobile, airplanes, electrification and more - all still fundamental drivers of the global economy in the 21st Century.