Eugene Farkas

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The native form of this personal name is Farkas Jenő. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Eugene Farkas (born Jenő Farkas; October 28, 1881 – February 24, 1963) was a Hungarian automotive engineer, most known for designing the Ford Model T and Fordson tractors.

Early life and education

Farkas was born in

Royal Joseph Technical University
, from which he graduated with a degree in Certified Mechanical Engineering.

Career

After qualifying at university Farkas completed one year of military service after which he worked in a motorcycle factory, unpaid, in order to get experience. In 1906 Farkas and a friend left Hungary to travel to the

Walter Flanders of Ford replied and in September 1907 Farkas started to work for Ford. This was not a long lived position because Farkas was not employed as an experimental draughtsman, after only two months Farkas moved on to work for Cadillac but due to the Panic of 1907 Farkas was soon out of work. He started work with the Morgan Engineering Co., in Alliance, Ohio where yet again the Panic of 1907
caused him to lose his job.

Early 1908, saw Farkas back at Ford working on the design of tools and fixtures for the

Oakland, Rapid Motor Vehicle Company, Cartercar Company and Hudson. When General Motors bought out the Cartercar company on October 26, 1909 Farkas became the chief engineer for Cartercar
, a position he held for three years. Moving on once again, Farkas went to work for the Cass Motor Vehicle Co. designing trucks, but this was not a long-term future for the young Hungarian.

By 1911, Farkas was living in

Model T, which had been produced. Sorenson chose Eugene Farkas as his chief engineer for the project. Farkas was innovative in his designs, following the Wallis Tractor Co example of frameless construction, he improved the principle and set an industry standard which lasts to the modern day.[citation needed
] The three-speed transmission was specifically designed by Farkas for the rigours of agriculture. Final drive was by worm gear, which was another Farkas design.

Farkas was involved in the war effort of Ford during

B-24 bomber and a 12 cylinder radial aircraft engine. The latter was never built.[1]

Retirement and death

By 1947, Farkas had completed his engineering career. He and Helen moved to

Hungarian dance. Eugene enjoyed fishing and playing the flute or piccolo
.

Farkas died on February 24, 1963. His widow Helen Louise Farkas (née Parshall) died on November 11, 1974.[2]

References

  1. ISBN 9780814332139
    .
  2. ^ "Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Book: The Family Book of Aidan Johan Lyons: Ahnentafel Report of Aidan Johan Lyons". Familytreemaker.genealogy.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
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