Having an interest in engines at a young age, Stephen Foster Briggs of Watertown took apart and repaired as many objects as he could. He graduated from South Dakota State College (the predecessor of ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ) in 1907. While taking some upper-level classes, Briggs developed a 6-cylinder, 2-cycle engine. One of the coaches from SDSC, Bill Juneau, saw the young man’s talents and introduced him to an entrepreneurial-minded friend, Harold Stratton of Wisconsin. Stratton, a successful grain merchant, also saw Briggs’ potential, and together, they decided to break into the quickly expanding automobile market. The Briggs & Stratton engine was born. In 1928, the company joined the New York Stock Exchange.
This week’s What’s New Wednesday celebrates Briggs & Stratton with the 1929 FI gasoline engine. This type of engine was used on a lawn mower. Small engines, like the one shown, propelled the company to what we know today; however, during WWII, Briggs & Stratton also produced generators.
Briggs eventually went on to purchase Evinrude and Johnson Outboards and created the Outboard Marine Corporation. He had many accolades, notably a number from SDSC including an honorary doctorate (1956) and SDSC Distinguished Alumnus (1961). One year after his death in 1976, ³ÉÈËÊÓƵ named him the 1977 Distinguished Engineer. Stephen F. Briggs died at 90 years old, but left his love of engines, as Briggs & Stratton motors still grace the market today.