Book project - reinventing the vocational fiction with a few twists

Hi, Jesse Corbett.
That sounds like one HELLUVA project and I don't think you'll find too many mud-slingers here. However, I would suggest that, for the sake of the historical accuracy, you go back to November, 1904, when Benjamin Holt re-worked the #77 Holt steamer to run on tracks and trialled it. There is not a lot of information nor many photos around about that but I will try to dig out what I have later today and post it here.

From there, if it was me, I would jump to 1906 and the Holt #111 steam crawler, which I understand was the first track-type tractor that Holt sold. There is actually a 'restoration/replica' of that machine in existence today and it may well be at Santa Margarita Ranch in CA. the last weekend of May this year, for a fairly big vintage machinery and military memorabilia show. There is also a fair bit of information about that one on the 'net.

I don't know the exact date when Holt switched to gasoline power for his tractors but I think it was around 1907-08.

I suspect that others on this site will happily contribute to this project. Be prepared to duck for 'incoming mail'.

Just my 0.02.

I am actually locked in on dates. LONG story (literally) made short:

Newlywed German immigrants
He is an internal combustion engine nut wants to seee "wild west", She is a sharp as a tack book keeper
Fleeing Germany as clouds of war are circling with Wilhelm II now calling the shots
Comes over on White Stars ship Baltic
Spend about 1 year with NYC and brushes shoulders with some lesser known greats and makes some $
Heads west on railroads
Winds up in Aberdeen SD but not satisfied
Settles up in a town that in 1905 is known as The Flat (yes, a real town)
Befriend banker and his wife
Rent new shop
Bring curved dash Oldsmobile to town
Build business up and eventually sign Ford with first Model T
Sell Ford in 1910 to friend, build new shop with big bays, overhead crane, the works
Been following Holts since steam back in Germany. Always poo poo'd steam
Living the dream
1910 in new shop, the first 3 Holts arrive and is up to his eyeballs in debt

All of this has been painfully verified down to the railroad timetable they use (which is included for the student to figure out) on the Erie Limited to get from NY to Chicago with footage, pix, etc. and then the Milwaukee Road

A great number of lesser known "geniuses" are encountered along the name. Sir Harry Ricardo, Charles Kettering, Clessie Cummins, the name of the banker in the growing town, the baker, and the candlestick maker and the correct store fronts where possible.

If this was a regular novel, just this part would easily take 150 pages. It is written much like a movie script. LOTS of characters, lots of action, lots of education. Example, him using his wifes new Hotpoint electric iron to do a crackle test on oil and pouring cheap liquor in radiators to keep them from freezing, developing an early version of the snow mobile conversion for a model T, a high railer out of a curved dash Oldsmobile, etc. In virtually all cases, the "why" is explained and runs off into rabbit holes with the reader/student having to do something to validate the results.

Most Holts will go into the field. But he along with his "interesting" salesman visit the Milwaukee Road roundhouse in Aberdeen discovering their Jordan Spreader snow plow. It set the tracks (pun intended) in motion for a bunch of intimidating beasts that snow wardens in the area, if they can afford, want. LOTS of chances to get in geometry, physics, engineering designs, metallurgy lesson as they slug it out creating the monstrosities.

Probably will have the Holt chord yanked on him during WWI due to war demands but given one final task that will keep them out of trouble (remember he is German) during WWI. The gas electric tank. Their town is on the Milwaukee Road and with much electrified in the mid 1910's in MT and westward,, he will gain exposure to heavy DC electricity, traction motors, and relay logic.

I am not eager to step on Yancey Cat's toes being the first REAL Holt dealer or any other Cat dealer for that matter. The character has to adapt to history as it plays out. Not the other way around. He is just a "test bed" in many ways. Hits a few home runs (snow plows) loses some (the gas electric tank).

So, I ask any willing, help me help our fledgling shop peddle a few Holts to farmers, fix them, and whip up a few snow plows that will nearly kill both man and machine as the South Dakota Blizzard of 1912 pushes them to the limits and then some. The readers in many respects are "treated" as employees in all facets of the business.

Thanks.

Jesse Corbett

Hi Corbett,
great thing you are trying to do.
Anything to get todays youth away from electronic games and think for them selves.
You may get some ideas from these --if you have not already done so--

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJnvE9DGzrE&feature=related

http://www.amazon.com/Fabulous-Alexander-Earthworm-Tractor-Machinery/dp/0896585301

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePUxupevyaU

Welcome and good luck with your project.
Cheers,
Eddie B.

Along with storyline, imagine this kind of video/interaction with regards to 1910-1920 Holts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw1_0zk6ohA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw1_0zk6ohA

Unlike these however which just "explore", the student has to DO something away from the smartphone/computer to get to the next level. I.E. build something, create something, volunteer at a museum, design a head gasket, etc, etc, etc.

An alternative to a program in "engine repair" from a community college that is 100% no nonsense.

So as you can see from the videos, rivet counting detail is a must. Joe reader/student had better know how to check for a scored liner, worn gear teeth, stress cracks, and so on. While we will start with "suck/squeeze/bang/blow" it is going to quickly go far beyond that.

Thanks for the positive comments

glad to see you joined up Jesse,
I will be around town next week if you want to come by, just give me a call.

Can anyone tell anything of the machine shown at 0:53?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezBSURCMe-o

Also seeking ANYTHING on the Holt gas electric tank prototype or even reasonable conjecture.

Thanks

I don't know if it will help, but anyone who is a fan of "Bulldozer" (I am!) is probably also a fan Gus at "The Model Garage". It was a series that ran in Popular Science from 1925-70. Here's a link to the collected stories and background. Hope it helps.

http://www.gus-stories.org/the_model_garage.htm