Cousin Bill and Harry. They have nothing to do with lamps, but were living during the period. And since they were also cousins I decided to share some of the pictures I've found.
Bill earned a considerable sum of money racing in 1910 and bought a farm near Crawfordsville, Indiana that year which resulted in being nicknamed, "Farmer Bill", by the other drivers. Just prior to the running of the first Indianapolis 500 Mile Sweepstakes in 1911, Bill invited the other teams out to his farm for dinner a day before the big race. As crazy as it sounds today, most came and many actually drove their race cars from Indianapolis to Crawfordsville for a home-cooked meal prepared by Bill's wife! Bill and his younger brother, Harry, both drove cars in the first 500. Harry started in 3rd position which at the time was determined by the order of entry.
Harry lived in Anderson, Indiana and his best known win was probably the 1912 Jencks Trophy at the Elgin Road Races. He drove a lightweight Mason Special with a Fred Duesenberg built engine in the "baby" class. Eddie Rickenbacker drove a similar Mason/Duesenberg during the 1914 season. Harry was killed in a practice accident September 5th 1913 at Keeley Park in Jackson, Mi driving a 100hp Cutting car. A tire blew and he lost control on the dirt track and went through a fence killing a 10 year old little girl, Mary Sarata. The fence was made with a heavy pipe which caught Harry under the chin instantly breaking his neck. His riding mechanic, George Benedict of Los Angeles, managed to duck and was badly injured. Benedict had previously been Bob Burman's riding mechanic. Harry was 35. He began his racing career in 1904 driving at the Harlem Horse Track in Chicago.
Mostly forgotten today, both were well known throughout the US during the earliest days of automobile racing.
