Louis Schwitzer

Louis Schwitzer
(29 Feb 1880 – 9 May 1967)

Louis Schwitzer, an immigrant from Bielitz, Austria-Hungary, entered racing history on August 19, 1909. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway was having its first auto race, a five-mile dash, twice around the oval. Schwitzer was one of just five drivers. He took the lead after the first mile and held on to win by 150 feet with an average speed of 57.43 mph and became the first winner at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Schwitzer’s education in Austria was in electrical and mechanical engineering, and when he arrived in the United States around the turn of the century, he worked primarily for automobile manufacturers in Boston as a chief engineer and not as a driver. A meeting with Howard Marmon while working as an engineer brought him to Indianapolis. Here, he designed the engine for the Marmon Yellow Jacket that Ray Harroun drove to victory in the first Indianapolis 500. He also started a few other races in 1909 and 1910 and drove relief laps for Harry Cobe in the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911.

Schwitzer continued his engineering work after World War I and started his own business manufacturing cooling fans. His water pumps, oil pumps, and cooling fans were standard on almost every type of combat vehicle in World War II. After the war ended, Schwitzer redesigned his supercharger of the 1920s into a more efficient turbocharger.

To celebrate the legacy of his engineering prowess and because he served on the IMS Technical Committee from 1912 to 1945, the “Louis Schwitzer Award for Innovation” is given each year leading up to the Indy 500 to celebrate the engineers behind developing new, innovative concepts aimed toward increasing competitive potential. The award focuses on innovative technology with applications related to the engine, powertrain, profile, chassis, or safety that meet the NTT INDYCAR SERIES specifications. Schwitzer was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1970.