Kleiner’s Korner: The Little Known (until now) 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race Driver: Howard Gill
Little has been published on this blog about Howard Gill, driver of the #19 Thomas racer in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. Here is a brief biography of Gill from his roots in the tea business to his unfortunate early death.
Art Kleiner
From Tea Leaves to Automobiles to Airplanes
Born into wealth (his family was involved in the importing of tea - his father having invented the tea bag), Gill left school early and began an automobile agency in Baltimore. An avid automobilist, he raced on the east coast, at times as an amateur supporting and racing his own entries and mechanics.
In 1903 he reportedly opened the first auto dealership in Baltimore, repairing and selling Stanley Steamers and built the first building in the city's "auto row".
Early Racing Career
Racing in 1903 in Yonkers, NY with a 4 HP Stanley. (The Automobile, Jan. 25, 19013)
Racing against Joe Tracy in 1903 again with his 4 HP Stanley. (Automobile Topics, 1903)
At the Benning Auto Races in 1906. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Aug. 5, 1906)
The 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race
Winning 26 out of 31 events gave Gill the confidence to race in the 1908 Vanderbilt Cup Race. (Outstanding Alumni of the Wright Flying School)
The E.R. Thomas Motor Car Company provided this opportunity by having Gill drive one of their two entries in the 1908 race. (Outstanding Alumni of the Wright Flying School)
115 HP Thomas with Gerhardt as mechanician. (The New York Times, Oct. 23 1908)
#19 Thomas Racer (Detroit Public Library)
#19 Thomas Racer (Detroit Public Library)
Unfortunately due to car trouble early, Gill finished 17th. (vanderbiltcupraces.com)
As an Aviator
Aero and Hydro, April 6, 1912
Following the cup race Gill became interested in aviation and moved to Los Angeles where his interest was in building flying machines. Drawing upon his experience racing cars, he would then became a well known pilot and designer of airplanes; at one point working for the Wright Brothers.
In 1910, he provided a small loan (which ended up giving him a large interest in) and helped found the industry publication, "Aero and Hydro". In 1911 The Aero Club of America assigned Gill license #31 as he was one of its earliest members. (Aero and Hyrdo, July 13, 1912)
The Baltimore Sun, Sept. 15, 1912
Gill piloting a Wright aircraft in 1911.
Payment of $200 to Howard Gill by the Wright Brothers. (historyforsale.com)
Gill's endorsement of the check. (historyforsale.com)
After becoming a well known aviator and participating in several piloting meets, Gill met his death in 1912 at a meet in Chicago when he had a mid air-collision with another plane. The other pilot survived, however the crash would prove fatal to Gill. (Brooklyn Eagle, Sept. 15, 1912)
Chicagology.com
While Gill's early endeavors as a race car driver earned him high marks, he would be more well known as an aviator. Unfortunately his death at not even 30 years of age would cut short any future contributions to the industry. (Aero and Hydro, Sept. 12, 1912)
Comments
Thank you for such a well-researched fascinating story of a very interesting man during a time of passionate interest in engineering. I love that period in American history, and the period after WWII as well (when my dad returned from the war and worked as a machinist in a ball bearing factory in CT, eventually improving the manufacturing process and becoming chief engineer). It’s such a tragedy that Mr. Gill died so young.
The fellow standing next to Gill in the second DPL pic looks so familiar, even though facing away. Mought’nt he be Jefferson De Mont Thompson, Chairman of the Vanderbilt Cup Commission? Sam, III
Thanks Chris for your comment - glad you enjoy these historical perspectives.
And Sam, yes you might be right!
As noted in this photo’s caption Gill attributed the cause of his Thomas’ mechanical problem to iron filings placed in the car’s cyclinders the night before! The car completed only one lap. From the Helck Family Collection.
Someone(s) was making sure Gill wouldn’t do well in the race.