Short Stories of Science and Invention

A Collection of Radio Talks by

Charles F. Kettering

INDEX

Weekly, from September 1942 to July 1945, Charles F. Kettering gave five-minute intermission talks about Science and Invention during the radio broadcasts of the General Motors Symphony of the Air.

Kettering invented the first automobile self-starter, and for 31 years directed a research laboratory for General Motors.

These radio talks are a fascinating legacy from the mind of a prolific inventor. The obvious anachronisms now add a historical perspective of the war-time period in which they were written.

These web pages now preserve some of the most popular stories for a new generation to read The text and art come from a General Motors booklet of selected talks. (Reprint, March 1959)

1. The Intangible in Human Progress
2. The Birth of an Idea
3. Ideas Are More Permanent Than People
4. Research is a State of Mind
5. Experiment vs. Theory
6. Hand and Mind


7. The Wright Way
8. A Veterinarian "Shoes" a Horseless Carriage
9. Energy From the Sun
10. Time and Distance
11. Inventor - Business Man
12. Patience and Practice
13. Orukter Amphibolos
14. The Turning Wheel
15. Harnessing the Iron Horse


16. The Silent Service
17. There is Always a Frontier
18. Ancient Battleground
19. The Four Horsemen
20. Lady of the Lamp
21. An Idea Explodes
22. Unravelling the Atom
23. R-A-D-A-R