#130 Walter Chrysler

Walter Chrysler's autobiography, "Life of an American Workman," reveals a rags-to-riches tale of a man whose prodigious work ethic and insatiable curiosity about machinery propelled him from a humble machinist to the founder of the Chrysler Corporation. Raised on the Kansas frontier, Chrysler's early life was marked by hard work, from fetching buffalo meat for his mother's soup to learning the intricacies of locomotives. His journey saw him leap from railroad work to the burgeoning automobile industry, where he transformed Buick's production process and later acquired and revitalized the Dodge Brothers Company. Chrysler's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of hands-on learning, and the transformative impact of embracing new opportunities, culminating in the construction of the iconic Chrysler Building by his son, Walter Jr., under his guidance. His narrative, recounted with gratitude for the American dream, serves as an inspiration for future generations to persist in the face of adversity.

• Walter Chrysler had a deep connection with his mother, seeing traces of her in his descendants and himself.
• He grew up in a hardworking household in Kansas during the 1870s, where his mother was a significant influence.
• The family endured harsh living conditions, such as cold winters and a lack of beef, relying instead on buffalo meat.
• His mother was resourceful, acting as the family barber to save money, indicative of the frugality and self-sufficiency that characterized frontier life.
• Walter's father was a gentle man, despite his tough exterior, who never resorted to physical punishment but instead used reason to discipline.
• His parents were a hardworking team dedicated to raising their family, and this left a lasting impression on Walter.

"By the time I became conscious of my dependence on her, my mother's large, dark eyes were set in a big, powerful woman of the frontier." This quote reflects Walter's recognition of his mother's strength and the influence she had on him, emphasizing the resilience required to live on the frontier.

"She worked all the time herself and had prodigious energy." Walter admired his mother's work ethic and energy, which set the standard for the entire household's approach to work and life.

"We never spent money for anything that we could get without spending." This quote encapsulates the family's frugal approach to life, highlighting their self-reliance and resourcefulness.

• Walter Chrysler's autobiography, "Life of American Workmen," provides a posthumous insight into his life and memories.
• Carl Sagan's quote about books underscores the timeless nature of written word and its ability to connect people across time.
• Books allow authors to communicate with readers long after they have passed, breaking the barriers of time and space.

"What an astonishing thing a book is." This quote from Carl Sagan marvels at the magic of books and their ability to connect readers with the minds of others, including those long gone.

"Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." Sagan's quote emphasizes the transcendent nature of literature and its role in human connection and legacy.

• Walter Chrysler's father, Henry Chrysler, was a respected locomotive engineer, which heavily influenced Walter's career path.
• As a young boy, Walter was fascinated by machinery and had a strong desire to learn about mechanics.
• Despite his family's wishes for him to pursue college, Walter was determined to become a machinist and took proactive steps to achieve this goal.
• Walter's persistence and work ethic led to an apprenticeship in a machine shop, where he started earning five cents an hour.
• He crafted his own tools due to financial constraints, which later became a symbol of his journey from poverty to success, as they were displayed in the Chrysler Building.
• Walter's early experiences with discipline and self-sufficiency shaped his character and work philosophy.

"I used to watch him then and still be thinking of him when I got to school at 08:00." Walter looked up to his father and was inspired by his dedication to his work as a locomotive engineer.

"I wanted to quit the grocery store and learn about machinery." This quote reveals Walter's early determination to pursue a career in mechanics, despite other expectations placed upon him.

"You've stuck to your job and you haven't belly ached." Edgar Easterbrook's acknowledgement of Walter's dedication and hard work led to support for his apprenticeship.

• Walter Chrysler was driven by a passion for learning, especially about machines and their inner workings.
• He sought knowledge from various sources, including the Scientific American, to satisfy his curiosity.
• Walter's mischievousness and lack of self-discipline led to challenges in his career, but he learned valuable lessons from these experiences.
• An incident where he accidentally splashed his boss, Mr. Newbert, with dirty water resulted in temporary dismissal but ultimately taught him the importance of self-discipline and focus.
• Walter's confidence in his abilities was not born from arrogance but from his commitment to mastering his craft as a machinist.

"I was mad with curiosity, as there were none in Ellis." Walter's insatiable curiosity and desire to learn drove him to seek out information and experiences beyond what his hometown could offer.

"I never had a chance to put myself in a situation from which I could settle down." This quote reflects Walter's restless ambition and his belief that he needed to leave his hometown to achieve his potential.

"I can do any job you ask me to, but I want to learn more things." Walter's self-assured statement to Mr. Easterbrook demonstrates his confidence in his skills and his eagerness to continue learning and growing.

• Walter Chrysler acknowledges his regret for leaving his job and recognizes the importance of his work.
• He expresses the restlessness of unrealized ambition and the desire to gain more experience.
• His high school sweetheart, Della Forker, supports his ambitions.
• Chrysler values the freedom and sense of adventure from his early years despite the hardships faced.
• He learns from every mechanic he works with and gains knowledge about engines, shop practices, and human nature.
• His lack of patience and unwillingness to endure lack of appreciation leads him to frequently change jobs.
• Chrysler's spending habits are tied to overcoming feelings of homesickness and enjoying the lack of responsibility.

"I wish I had not been so foolish." This quote reflects Chrysler's regret over past decisions, particularly leaving his job, which he later realizes was a significant part of his life.

"I could tell her that I was ambitious, and I even dared to tell her that I intended someday to be a master mechanic." Chrysler confides in his future wife about his ambitions, indicating the importance of her support in his life.

"I learned a lot about men and still more about Walter Chrysler." His experiences taught him about human nature and self-awareness, crucial for his personal and professional development.

• Chrysler reminisces about his mother's generosity and the culture of helping travelers in need of food.
• He saves a small amount of money, which allows him to marry his high school sweetheart at the age of 26.
• Chrysler is determined and ambitious, studying electrical engineering through correspondence while working.
• He is unaware that his future holds significant financial success in the automobile industry.

"We began our married life with $60. That was every cent I had." This quote highlights Chrysler's humble beginnings and the financial constraints at the start of his married life.

"I was getting thirty cents an hour, three dollars a day for ten hour days, whenever I could pile up some overtime." Chrysler's early earnings reflect the modest income and long working hours typical of the time.

• Old Man Hickey recognizes Chrysler's potential and takes an interest in mentoring him.
• Hickey's approach to reprimanding Chrysler involves a mix of praise and gentle admonishment.
• Chrysler learns the importance of controlling his emotions, especially in professional correspondence.
• Hickey advises Chrysler not to miss opportunities due to comfort in a mastered job, which influences Chrysler's career decisions.
• The lesson of filing angry letters away to cool off becomes a lifelong practice for Chrysler.

"You do not need to drown to have much of your past life reel through your mind in just a single second." This quote captures the fear and introspection that comes with the prospect of losing one's job, which Chrysler experienced at a young age.

"Since that day, I've never answered any letter while in a passion." Chrysler shares the valuable lesson he learned from Hickey about maintaining professionalism and composure in written communication.

• Chrysler's self-belief and the support of his wife play a crucial role in his success.
• He rapidly rises through the ranks in the locomotive industry due to his confidence and skill.
• A chance visit to an automobile show in Chicago ignites a new passion, leading to a pivotal career change.
• Chrysler's determination to understand the mechanics of a luxury car demonstrates his meticulous approach to learning.

"Nothing in my life has given me more cause for pride and satisfaction than the way my wife had faith in me from the very first." Chrysler attributes much of his confidence and success to the unwavering support of his wife throughout his career.

"Responsibility, I was learning, is something that weighs more heavily than iron." This quote signifies Chrysler's realization of the burden and importance of responsibility as he takes on more significant roles in his career.

• Chrysler's ambition leads him to take financial risks to pursue his interests.
• Despite limited funds, he is determined to find a way to purchase a luxury car for its educational value.
• His approach to securing a loan demonstrates his persuasive skills and financial acumen.

"I must confess that I never stopped to ask myself if I should. If I could afford to go in hawk to buy that car. All I asked myself was, where could I raise the money?" Chrysler's single-minded focus on acquiring the car shows his determination and willingness to take on financial risk for something he values.

"Responsibility, I was learning, is something that weighs more heavily than iron." Reflecting on his career progression, Chrysler acknowledges the intangible weight of responsibility that comes with higher positions and more significant challenges.

• Walter Chrysler recognized the potential impact of individual car ownership on the country.
• He invested $5,000 in an automobile despite having a stable job with the railroad.
• Chrysler's dedication to understanding every aspect of the car was meticulous.
• His passion led him to work tirelessly on the automobile during his free time.

"The automobile is the transportation business, too. The railroads have made this a richer country, haven't they? Sure was the response. Well, then just ask yourself what this country will be like when every individual has his own private car and is able to travel anywhere."

This quote exemplifies Walter Chrysler's foresight in recognizing the transformative potential of the automobile industry and how it could parallel the impact of the railroads.

• Chrysler transitioned from railroad work to manufacturing, finding it more lucrative and pleasurable.
• He experienced a profound sense of creative joy in manufacturing.
• His ability to turn around the locomotive manufacturer boosted his reputation.

"There is in manufacturing a creative joy that only poets are supposed to know."

The quote captures Chrysler's deep satisfaction and joy found in the creative process of manufacturing, which he found to be as fulfilling as the artistic creation associated with poets.

• Charles Nash recruited Chrysler to help improve manufacturing at Buick.
• Chrysler identified numerous opportunities for improvement, especially with metalwork.
• He accepted a lower salary at Buick ($6,000) compared to his previous job due to the potential he saw in the automobile industry.
• Chrysler's negotiation skills and confidence in his worth led to significant salary increases over time.

"Mr. Nash, I'd like to come here. I think I could be a useful man in this plant."

This quote reflects Chrysler's confidence in his abilities and his eagerness to take on the challenge of improving the manufacturing process at Buick.

• Chrysler applied his meticulous approach from locomotive manufacturing to automobile production.
• His strategies significantly reduced costs and improved production speed at Buick.
• He quickly advanced from a $6,000 to a $500,000 salary due to his contributions to the company.

"Nowadays, when you go into an automobile factory, you see a lot of parts almost effortlessly put together and so smoothly that in about 15 minutes, what was once a naked frame when you began to watch, has become an automobile full of gas and oil being driven off under its own power."

Chrysler's statement illustrates the dramatic improvements in efficiency and speed that he brought to the automobile manufacturing process.

• Chrysler's decision to join Buick was mixed with excitement and regret, as it meant leaving the railroad industry he loved.
• He highlighted the importance of having supportive people, like his wife, who believed in him.
• Chrysler's ability to negotiate with Billy Durant for a higher salary and more control at Buick demonstrated his confidence and business acumen.

"Those words contained everything I wanted to hear."

Chrysler valued the support of his wife, which was crucial in his journey and the risks he took in his career.

• Despite disagreements, Chrysler recognized Billy Durant's genius and charisma.
• Chrysler's insistence on having full authority and a clear policy direction was crucial for his effective leadership at Buick.
• His approach to recruiting Charles Kettering focused on understanding what motivated Kettering beyond money.

"Billy, for the love of God, please, now, just say what your policies are for General Motors."

Chrysler's plea to Durant highlights the importance of clear policies and direction for effective leadership and decision-making within a company.

• Walter Chrysler recounts how he convinced Charlie Kettering to join General Motors by offering him an exciting job rather than a large salary.
• Kettering was enticed by the prospect of solving endless mechanical and scientific problems.
• The acquisition of Kettering's mind was considered more valuable than the purchase of Delco for $9 million.

"I said what we were offering him was a chance to solve mechanical and scientific problems endlessly, and I could see his eyes glitter with desire."

This quote highlights the strategy Walter used to recruit Kettering, emphasizing intellectual challenge over monetary compensation and the value placed on Kettering's genius.

• Walter Chrysler was dissatisfied with how GM was being managed, noting that Buick was earning money but the corporation was spending it too quickly.
• He tried to resign but was persuaded to stay by Alfred Sloan and another colleague.
• Eventually, Chrysler sold his GM stock for $10 million and planned to retire at the age of 45.

"I just can't stand the way this thing is being run."

Chrysler expresses his frustration with GM's management, which ultimately led to his decision to leave the company and sell his stocks.

• After half a year of retirement, Walter Chrysler took on a turnaround project for Willis Overland, which was failing.
• He was offered a salary of $1 million per year for two years to fix the company.
• Chrysler realized that the product was the issue and that he couldn't fix it, leading him to focus on Maxwell Motors, which became Chrysler.

"I will come turn this company around."

Chrysler's reputation for success at Buick led bankers to bet on his ability to save their failing investment in Willis Overland.

• Walter Chrysler saw an opportunity in Maxwell Motors, which had a debt of $26 million during a post-WWI boom that ended in a depression.
• He took over Maxwell, settled its debt for $5 million, and used the remaining funds to build a great car.
• Chrysler focused on starting fresh with a new car concept, leading to the creation of the Chrysler car.

"What I was saying I would not touch was later on revealed to be the greatest opportunity of my whole life."

Chrysler reflects on initially rejecting Maxwell Motors, which he later recognized as a pivotal opportunity that led to the founding of the Chrysler Corporation.

• Walter Chrysler advised young people to qualify themselves for opportunities by acquiring valuable skills, such as accountancy.
• He emphasized the importance of recognizing opportunities before others and not getting discouraged by missed chances.

"They often get chances to go to work for the companies whose books they have audited."

Chrysler suggests that young accountants have unique access to information and opportunities within the companies they audit, which can lead to career advancement.

• After reorganizing Maxwell Motors, the Chrysler Corporation had a successful year with a net profit of $4.1 million and sold 32,000 cars.
• In 1925, the Maxwell Motor Corporation became the Chrysler Corporation.
• Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928 despite skepticism, which proved to be a strategic move as it contributed to the company's success during the depression.

"Buying Dodge was one of the soundest acts of my life."

Chrysler defends his decision to buy Dodge, which faced initial criticism but ultimately strengthened the company.

• Walter Chrysler wanted to provide his sons with responsibility and built the Chrysler Building in New York as a challenge for them.
• He encouraged his sons to start from the bottom and work their way up to understand different perspectives within the business.

"Go and scrub a few floors, clean some offices. That way, you can begin to see through the glasses of other people."

Chrysler advises his son to learn the business from the ground up, emphasizing the importance of understanding various roles and perspectives.

• The book concludes with reflections on Chrysler's early struggles and gratitude for the opportunities America provided him.
• His story was shared in the hope of inspiring others to persevere in the face of adversity.

"It was gratitude, of course, gratitude to everything American that made possible his great success."

The quote encapsulates Chrysler's feelings of thankfulness for the American system that allowed him to achieve his remarkable success, despite humble beginnings.