Columbus-based Cummins Inc. is a global power company that netted $23.8 billion in profits last year, and is known for producing diesel engines capable of producing horsepower for semis, pickup trucks, trains, boats and mining equipment.
But a century ago, the company’s founder, Clessie Cummins, was an entrepreneur offering single-cylinder, kerosene engines of 1 1/2, 3, 6 and 8 horsepower used for buzz saws, grinding feed, pumping water and crushing rock.
A handful of those rare early engines that helped lay the foundation for the company’s growth and success will be on display, and serve as a history lesson, when Cummins celebrates its 100th anniversary locally with a June 15 event in downtown Columbus, for current and former employees.
“These are the engines that started us down the path of being an engine company. Without these engines Cummins wouldn’t be here,” said Randy Watts, a Cummins performance engineering team lead and technical adviser. A historian of the company’s early oil engines, he also owns one of the 1 1/2 horsepower engines.
The collection of the earliest Cummins engines displayed together in one setting for the June celebration is possible because a few engine enthusiasts, who are current or former Cummins employees, agreed to have the engines displayed.
Such a historical display is important, they said.
“I’ll bet a really low percentage of people in town know how Cummins started, so the historical thing for the company will be good. It knits the whole thing together,” said Bill Stahl, a retired original equipment manufacturer service director for Cummins who owns one of the 3 horsepower engines.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
