Make It Go in the Snow E-Book

Larry Jorgensen

• Herausgeber: Modern History Press
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Seitenzahl: 126

Beschreibung

Through the years, the challenge of powered transportation in the snow has been met with ideas from explorers, creative inventors and small companies, all with new ideas - often unique and sometimes successful. The name "snowmobile" was trademarked in 1917, but there were snow travel ideas before that date and certainly thousands more since.
Winter explorers and trailblazers sought to replace their dogsleds and snowshoes as they explored difficult locations, including remote locations, on the north and south poles. Early inventors of snow vehicles often scavenged parts from many mechanical devices, trying many power and propulsion methods, from 2- and 4-stroke engines to air propulsion, and even a "snow biting" screw auger concept.
The snow travel ideas from some early inventors were simply designed to solve their own needs; others came from entrepreneurs who believed folks would be impressed and want to buy their creations. Some of their ideas evolved into companies such as Polaris, Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo, which prospered and now can trace their roots back to that first snowmobile idea.
Make It Go In The Snowprovides a fun look at the history of a few of the many thousands of snow travel ideas and those enthusiasts who gave them birth. Captured and recorded are a wide variety of snowmobile ideas, without offering judgment on any individual venture. Join me as I pay tribute to all those ideas; past, present and future. But keep watching, because more snow excitement is waiting to be created.
From Modern History Press

Leseprobe

Make It Go…In The Snow: People and Ideas in the History of Snowmobiles

Copyright © 2024 by Larry Jorgensen

Published by

Modern History Press

www.ModernHistoryPress.com

5145 Pontiac Trail

[email protected]

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

ISBN 978-1-61599-814-2 paperback

ISBN 978-1-61599-815-9 hardcover

ISBN 978-1-61599-813-5 ebook

Contact publisher for discount on bulk purchases for sales promotions, fundraising, or educational use.

Cover and interior design/layout by Vickie Swisher, Studio 20|20.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTIONMake It Go…

CHAPTER 1Eliason Motor Toboggan

CHAPTER 2Propeller Wind-Power

CHAPTER 3“Snowmobile” The Name

CHAPTER 4Eskimobile

CHAPTER 5The First Snowmobile Race

CHAPTER 6A Snowmobile in His Basement

CHAPTER 7Screw-propelled Snowmobile Motor

CHAPTER 8The Wormobile

CHAPTER 9Studebaker and Snowmobiles

CHAPTER 10Farm Tractors to Snow Tractors

CHAPTER 11Chrysler Had Some Ideas

CHAPTER 12Small Ideas

CHAPTER 13Snow Ideas from Honda

CHAPTER 14IT WAS BIG and IT WAS FIRST

CHAPTER 15Snowmobiles on Antarctica

CHAPTER 16Trail Blazing Pioneers

CHAPTER 17Homemade Snowmobiles

CHAPTER 18Snowmobile Museums

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

INTRODUCTION

Make It Go…

The challenge of powered transportation in the snow has been met through the years with ideas from explorers, creative inventors and small companies, all with new ideas often unique and sometimes successful.

The name “snowmobile” was used and copyrighted in 1917, but there were snow travel ideas before that date and certainly thousands more since that date.

The winter explorers and trailblazers sought to replace their dog sleds and snowshoes as they explored difficult locations including remote locations on the north and south poles.

Early inventors of snow vehicles often worked with available parts and pieces from other old mechanical devices. A limited supply of power sources were tried, from utility two and four cycle engines to motorcycle engines, air propulsion, and even the unusual “snow biting” screw auger concept.

The snow travel ideas from some early inventors were simply designed to solve their individual winter snow problems. Other ideas came from entrepreneurs who believed others would be impressed and want to obtain what they would create. Some of their ideas evolved into companies which prospered and now can trace their roots back to that first snowmobile idea.

Make It Go In The Snow provides a look at the history of a few of the many thousands of snow travel ideas and those enthusiasts who gave them birth.

Our goal is to simply capture and record a wide variety of snowmobile ideas, without offering judgment on any individual venture.

We pay tribute to all those ideas; past, present and future. Keep watching because more snow excitement is waiting to be created.

CHAPTER 1

Eliason Motor Toboggan

The Carl Eliason Motor Toboggan built in 1924 in Sayner, Wisconsin is credited as being “the first snowmobile,” a title well deserved as its early design innovations ultimately influenced the creators of today’s popular snowmobiles.

The motor toboggan was the first to be propelled by an endless moving track system with cleats and slide rails, a floating suspension and padded seats. It became the first mass-produced snowmobile to be sold to the general public.

Patent drawing of Eliason Motor Toboggan

Carl Eliason family

At first Eliason had experimented with modifying a Model T Ford, but found it unworkable in Wisconsin’s deep snow and unplowed roads. It took Carl two years to create the first toboggan style machine as he worked part-time in a small garage behind his general store. He patented his snowmobile designs in 1927, and to power the first toboggan he used a liquid cooled 2.5 hp Johnson outboard engine. It’s interesting to note that liquid-cooled engines did not become common in modern snowmobiles until the 1970’s.

Liquid-cooled toboggan engine

snowmobile.com

As he built more machines Eliason worked with a variety of two cylinder and four cylinder motorcycle engines including Indian, Excelsior and Henderson as well as Briggs & Stratton and Salisbury. These engines were preferred over Harley-Davidson due to weight and size considerations. Toboggans with two cylinder engines sold for $350, while four cylinder machines cost about $200 more.

Eventually Eliason would produce eight or nine units per year, making improvements as he worked, so few machines would be built exactly the same. The passenger capacity for the motor toboggan grew to three and four-up tandem seating.

Over thirty motor toboggans were made during those first fifteen years in Eliason’s shop. The performance of the unique snow machine began attracting attention in other countries, and with the start of World War II foreign interest increased; Finland indicated a possible purchase of 200 units.

In an attempt to meet that potential demand, Carl sought production assistance from an established manufacturer. After approaching several companies he finally negotiated the sale of his patents to the Four Wheel Drive Company of Clintonville, while he would remain in a major consulting position. The Clintonville company had developed the first successful four wheel drive vehicles, and the possible toboggan purchase by Finland helped convince FWD to acquire the Eliason production. A Russian group also visited the Clintonville plant where they test drove the motor toboggans.

Production at FWD Clintonville plant

Although the anticipated purchase by Finland did not go through, an order was received from the U.S. Army for 150 Motor Toboggans to be used in Alaska. Another order was received from the Wisconsin Conservation Department for units to be used in winter patrolling. Four improved models were developed by FWD as they produced about 300 units from 1941 to 1947.

The first model produced at the Clintonville plant, the “A” model had improved steering and the 12 hp Excelsior engine was replaced with a more powerful 25 hp Indian engine.

Next the “B” model provided a foot operated throttle and had a total weight of 500 pounds.

The “C” model followed with a tiller steering handle and Indian cycle twist grip throttle. The skis were shorter and the exposed engine and track assembly were enclosed. The toboggan’s total weight increased to 600 pounds.

The last Clintonville plant produced unit, model “D” was the most streamlined. It included a steering wheel with cable controlled skis. The Indian 45 engine included a three speed transmission which provided the machine with a top speed of 35 miles per hour.

After the war the demand for four wheel drive vehicles increased, while the sales of the motor toboggan had slowed. Consequently FWD decided to transfer the motor toboggan production to its Canadian subsidiary plan in Kitchener, Ontario.

The model “D” design was included in that 1947 production transfer with a goal of creating a new design for the motor toboggan which would meet the needs of the changing customer market. The first major change came in 1950 with the model K-10 which was smaller and had replaced all previous models front engine location with a new rear mounted engine.

The first rear engine design – Model K-10

Carl Eliason family

The K-10 was replaced in 1953 by the K-12 which would become the final model of the Eliason Motor Toboggan to be produced. The K-12 was promoted as an improved version of the K-10, but the two models were virtually identical with the exception of a smaller Salisbury engine replacing an 8.25 hp Briggs & Stratton and a slight design change for the rear tool box. The K-12 sold for $905 in Canadian funds and was produced for the next 10 years without any major modifications.

Motor Toboggan production at FWD’s Kitchener Plant was ended in 1963 because sales during those final years had dropped significantly while the new Bombardier Ski-Doo machines were being introduced. Consequently, the FWD Corporation sold the Eliason rights and existing parts inventory to the Carter Brothers of Waterloo, Ontario. During the next year the Carter Brothers produced only 24 units before shutting down and the scrapping the remaining parts.

The pioneering design innovations and early success of the Eliason Motor Toboggan in some ways may have contributed to its own demise. As the Eliason patents expired the final K-12 model became the template for other rear-engine snowmobile designs to follow. The Polaris Snow Traveler was first, followed by Arctic Cat, Fox Trac and others.

Several of the motor toboggan models can be seen in a small museum at the old store where it all began. Eliason hardware is operated by Carl’s grandchildren John and Jona Eliason.

John and Jona Eliason at the family store museum

Eagle River, Wisconsin has become recognized as the “Snowmobile Capital of the World,” and about a 20-mile trail ride away is the little town of Sayner which is honored to claim the distinction of being the “birth place” for today’s modern snowmobile.

CHAPTER 2

Propeller Wind-Power

While Carl Eliason was working on his idea for a motor toboggan he was aware that others also were trying to create some form of a powered snow vehicle. One of those would-be inventors was Carl’s brother-in-law who attempted to develop a snowmobile powered by wind from a propeller. However his project failed apparently because the weight of the vehicle made mobility difficult in deep snow. But others followed and some had success in creating wind-powered snowmobiles.

One of those successful machines was built about ten miles away from Carl Eliason’s shop at a resort on Pickeral Lake. The resort was owned by Harry Jones, a pioneer resort owner in the Eagle River area, and he and his brother-in-law Emil Shedell built in 1927 a vehicle they called the “Snow Devil.” It was powered by an airplane engine with a large propeller and was sleek for its time with wide skis and seating for two. A passenger and snowshoes were important to provide mechanical assistance should the engine stall. By using the snowshoes the passenger could stand on top of deep snow and hand-turn the propeller to restart the engine.

The passenger performed another important task in stopping the Snow Devil as it did not have a braking system. The passenger would jump out and attempt to hold the machine back until it stopped. Before the vehicle was built a winter time trip to Eagle River for needed supplies was a two-day snowshoe experience. The bright red Snow Devil with the words “Pickeral Lake Lodge” painted on the front made winter supply trips easier while also attracting considerable attention for the resort.

There was an even earlier successful attempt to build a propeller wind-powered snowmobile. A South Dakota newspaper, The Aberdeen Daily American, reported in 1916 how two men created a motorized “bobsled.” Herman Luck and Will Stockman in Watertown, South Dakota used an eight horse power motorcycle engine and an attached five foot propeller for their unusual sled. They claimed it could easily reach a speed of 30 miles per hour, but admitted that at 35 mph it became difficult to handle. The bobsled was steered by a handle and rudder-like device attached at the front.

Fudge Snowplane at auction

Kraupie Auction Company

Another old propeller wind-powered snowmobile was sold in November 2022 at a modern day farm auction in Bridgeport, Nebraska. The unique vehicle, a “Fudge Snow Plane” had been built in Canada in 1947 by Fudge Industries in Saskatchewan. When new it cost about $700.

When the auctioneer at the Kraupie Auction Company got to the Fudge snow plane the interest picked up and the seventy-five year old vehicle sold for $2,625, almost four times its original cost. The winning bidder preferred to remain anonymous so it was not known if he was a snowmobile collector or someone just curious about the unusual old machine. Whatever the reason, a 1947 Fudge snow plane had a new home.

The concept of propeller wind-powered snowmobile received considerable attention from Canadian inventors as early as the 1920’s and continuing through the 1950’s. Robert Fudge was one of the first to mass produce the vehicles making them available to area customers.

However it’s interesting to learn that Joseph Armand Bombardier, who would later invent the popular Ski-Doo snowmobile, may also have been the first person to harness wind power for snow transportation. J. Armand was just 15-years-old when he built a wind-powered snow sleigh in his father’s shop in 1922.

A year earlier his father had given him a Ford Model T engine which he believed was irreparable. However Joseph-Armand with help from his brother Leopold fixed the old engine and a year later put it to use in a snow vehicle he was designing.

He would work quietly on his project when ever he was home because he was studying at a Christian seminaire, as Alfred had hoped his son would follow a family tradition and join the priesthood.

J. Armand was home on Christmas break in 1922 when finally he was able to reveal his snow machine on New Year’s day. Alfred was amazed by his son’s invention, but then ordered it dismantled as he was concerned about potential danger from the spinning propeller.

Bombardier’s first snowmobile

Musee De L'ingeniosite, Valcourt, QC

It was about the same time in Moosomin, Saskatchewan where Robert Fudge had been working with small engines, when he decided to build a three ski snowplane using a Ford Model T engine. Three years later he started Fudge Industries to build what became his popular four ski models. Later he built larger snowplanes which would hold four people and reach top speeds up to 60kpm. Fudge’s sales slogan was “watch the snow go by” and his snow planes sold for $600 to $800.

Fudge 1949 Snowplane

Western Development Museum, Saskatchewan

Fudge Snowplane production

Fudge sales brochure

During the 28 years he was in business he sold over 400 snowplanes to customers including telephone and power companies, hospitals, doctors, police and individual users.

Working not far from Robert Fudge in Spy Hill, Saskatchewan was another inventor also trying to conquer the challenge of winter snow travel. Karl Lorch’s first attempt in 1928 was to modify a Ford Model T by placing skis in front and chains on dual rear wheels. Not satisfied with the car’s performance in soft snow he began working with the snowplane concept.

Lorch Snowplane

Village of Spy Hill, Sask

Karl built his first snowplane in 1936 using a 45 hp Ford model A engine. His snow vehicle weighed 650 pounds and sold for $850. Lorch continued production with new designs and various engine combinations. His line of models went from single person units to large snowplanes which would carry as many as four or six persons. He remained in business until 1958 selling over 600 snowplanes. Lorch was credited with being the first person to use the term “snowplane.”

There were others in Canada who also built snowplanes in the 1930’s, but Fudge and Lorch were the largest manufacturers. A garage owner in Minette, Manitoba Joe Davreaux built about fifteen of the snow vehicles from 1930 to 1945. Another builder in Manitoba was Fred Mansoff from Brandon who built about a dozen machines which he sold to area farmers.