Alcohol and lead in fuel

[updraught]

I didn't realize that Kettering was the one that developed lead in fuel and became president of Ethyl Corporation founded in 1923.

From Wikipedia:
"Kettering's research in fuel was based on his belief that oil would be in short supply and additives would allow more efficient engines with higher compression. His "high percentage" solution was to mix ethanol with gasoline, while his "low percentage solution" looked for additives that would be added in small quantities to increase what later would be called the octane rating of gasoline." ... "While use of ethanol could not be patented, TEL's use as an additive could. Kettering and Midgley secured its patent and proceeded to promote the use of TEL as an additive instead of other options."

So that is the reason ethanol hasn't been used since the 1920's. Lead could be patented.

Kettering thought (in 1929) that by 1939 cars might be solar powered and travel safely at 100 mph. I guess some things take longer than expected ...

Here is a 1929 interview with Kettering:
https://books.google.com.au/books?id...gineer&f=false