Invention is the Mother
As some of my loyal readers have witnessed, I like to share exciting stories about extraordinary men and women from every documented timeline in our history. In addition, I like sharing details of their lives and, in some cases, the technology they created to make our lives better. Today's post is no different.
Charles Pogue, born on September 4, 1905, was a Canadian inventor and engineer whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the automotive industry. However, less widely recognized than some of his contemporaries, Pogue's innovations played a significant role in the development of fuel-efficient engines.
Pogue's journey into the world of engineering began with his fascination with machinery and mechanics from a young age. Growing up in Texas, he exhibited a natural aptitude for tinkering and problem-solving,
which laid the foundation for his future endeavors. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial constraints and limited access to formal education, Pogue's determination and ingenuity propelled him forward.
A new Way
In the 1930s, Pogue embarked on a mission to address one of the pressing issues of his time: fuel efficiency in automobiles. The average mile per gallon was about 13 miles. At a time when gasoline was becoming increasingly expensive and scarce, Pogue saw an opportunity to
revolutionize engine design. Meanwhile, he began experimenting with various concepts, eventually developing a carburetor that promised to improve fuel consumption significantly.
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Pogue's carburetor design incorporated a unique vaporization process, allowing for more efficient fuel combustion. Unlike conventional carburetors, which relied solely on liquid fuel, Pogue's invention vaporized the fuel before it entered the combustion chamber, leading to a more complete burn and reduced waste. As a result, this innovative approach promised improved fuel economy and reduced emissions—a critical factor in today's environmentally conscious world.
Most importantly, Pogue received a patent for his new invention in 1936. To be clear, this was the third iteration of his high-milage carburetor. How many more miles did Charles' carb get? The Pogue carburetor was averaging around 200 miles per gallon (MPG). So, this would equate to a 1,438% increase in efficiency. To be clear, the average car holds 14 gallons of gas. You could travel from New York to L.A. on one full gas tank using Pogue's carburetor.
Ford decided the carb was worth a test, and based on their results, they got precisely 200 MPG. In addition, the Canadian car magazine tested the device and reported 218 MPG. Consequently, the news got out, and oil stocks in Canada started to crash. Subsequently, Pogue's office was broken into, and the thieves took all his carburetors, notes, and documents.
Nothing to see here...
Despite the potential benefits of his invention, Pogue faced considerable resistance from established interests within the automotive industry. Moreover, skeptical of his unconventional design, many manufacturers and engineers dismissed Pogue's carburetor as impractical or impossible. Undeterred by the skepticism, Pogue continued to refine his invention, conducting extensive testing to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Meanwhile, despite generating interest from some quarters, including independent testers who confirmed its efficacy, Pogue struggled to secure the support necessary to mass-produce his invention. Faced with a lack of resources and mounting pressure, he eventually abandoned his efforts to commercialize the carburetor. Most importantly, Charles never spoke of or built another carburetor again.
Subsequently, Charles Pogue died in 1978, and the exact circumstances are not widely known or documented. Consequently, the specific details regarding the cause of his death are not available in public records or historical accounts. As a result, the precise cause of his death remains unknown. However, his contributions to automotive engineering continue to be remembered and studied by enthusiasts and professionals.
Don't Fear
While Pogue's carburetor never achieved the widespread recognition he had hoped for during his lifetime, its legacy is a testament to his ingenuity and vision. Henceforth, many other men followed in his footsteps but met the same fate. I'll be writing about them in the future.
Further, decades after his death, renewed interest in alternative fuel technologies has sparked a reappraisal of Pogue's work, with some enthusiasts and historians championing his carburetor as a precursor to modern fuel-efficient engines. How efficient are the 2024 models? U.S. News and World Report states that the average gasoline car gets 28 MPG. To be clear, that is an increase of 114% in efficiency in 88 years. However, the average consumer in the U.S. purchases an SUV, which gets about 22 MPG.
It's all good my Friends
In retrospect, Charles Pogue's life shows us that we do indeed have the technology and know how to have low-cost fuel to support our lifestyles. But, there are small pockets of industry that are not interested in saving anyone money, much less taking a loss.
In conclusion, I prefer to examine the brilliance of Charles and the other men and women who have shown us the way to prosperity. In other words, let's focus on the positive and see what we can co-create.
