Barely out of horse and buggy days, graduates from the University of Michigan in 1930 entered the workforce unaware the world was steadily tumbling towards the largest war ever waged on earth. They were swept up into the most intensive wave of the industrial age to pursue and acquire knowledge. Through all the trauma World War II brought, inventions emerged that had been unthinkable, or had seemed impossible before.

Jet turbine power was one of those inventions, and one of its uses would have almost put an end to gasoline refineries. Every force within the business world focused on the engineers and scientists that created it. Instantly, opposing interests erupted; either to stop it, or to perfect it. Even the United States Government became involved.

This creation, directed by George Huebner, was aimed at changing automobiles forever, replacing the piston engine with the turbine engine.

It did not use gasoline, it did not have an oil pan full of oil nor a radiator full of antifreeze. It was simpler to build and burned much cleaner, eliminating most carbon emissions. This revolutionary power plant was estimated to last for a million miles of use with very little maintenance.

After ten years of costly development, and then a worldwide introductory publicity tour in 1963, Chrysler was ready to build them. But at this pinnacle of achievement it was all abruptly shut down and the cars destroyed.

A United States Senate Judiciary Committee requested testimony on Antitrust and Monopoly from Chrysler as well as George Huebner. When George retired his creation was still locked up in research and development secrecy.

The killing blow came from the U.S. Government when it provided Chrysler's financial bail-out that also required the complete shut-down of all turbine research.

The battle over critical Knowledge between inventors and opposing industries is the core of this story that still leaves one to wonder. What was, and may still be, possible?

 

Mike is taking preorders of the book that is expected to be published and available in August. To preorder your book please contact Mike Manns at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The 6" x 9 “ softbound book is 560 pages and will be $40.00 per book with shipping, TBD