 Short Stories of Science and InventionA Collection of Radio Talks byCharles F. KetteringINDEXWeekly, 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) |
A Radio Talk by Charles F. Kettering We have just been listening to some
of the world's great music. The writing of this fine music has many
"intangibles." The notes and intervals and sequences are arranged so as
to produce a pleasing, a dramatic, or an inspiring impression. The
timing and the arrangements and all the other things that go into a
composition determine how much you, the public, will like it. These
great musical masterpieces are the final result of inspiration, of cut
and try - rewrite and try again. The dramatic stories from the lives of
great composers tell this process much better than I can.
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Now, composition is to musical notes and tones and intervals what
inventions are to iron, and steel, and copper. The difference between
good compositions and bad ones, between good inventions and bad ones,
is an intangible coordination which is very poorly understood. 
