author
Harold Whiting Slauson
An early automotive writer and engineer, he turned the fast-changing world of gasoline engines, cars, and motor boats into practical books for everyday readers. His work captures a moment when modern transportation was still new and needed clear, hands-on guides.
1 Audiobook
The Gasoline Motor
by Harold Whiting Slauson
About the author
Harold Whiting Slauson was an American engineer and technical writer whose books focused on gasoline engines, automobiles, and small boats. Records available through Project Gutenberg and The Online Books Page show that he wrote practical titles including The Gasoline Motor, The Motor Boat, and First Aid to the Car.
A memorial record identifies him as a native of Middletown, New York, born in 1883, and notes that he graduated from the Cornell University School of Engineering in 1904. The same record describes him as someone active in engineering and automotive circles, which fits the strong mechanical focus of his published work.
His writing is especially interesting today because it was aimed at readers learning to use and maintain new technology for themselves. Instead of treating motors as mysterious machines, he explained how they worked and how to keep them running, giving his books a direct, helpful style that still feels approachable.