Kokomo is the county seat of Howard County with a population of about 45,000. Kokomo
was named after the Miami Indian Chief, Makokomo. Kokomo also lays claim to having the
carcass of World's largest Steer "Old Ben" weighing in at 4700 lbs on display in
Highland Park. :)
The discovery of natural gas in the Kokomo area was the catalyst that Kokomo needed to
attract industry and growth.
Kokomo is known as "The City of Firsts"
- July 4, 1894
*Elwood Haynes* road
tested his invention... the first commercially constructed automobile on Pumpkinvine Pike.
- October 1894
D.C. Spraker, President of Kokomo Rubber Tire Company, invented the first pneumatic rubber
tire.
- 1895
William Johnson invented the aluminum casting process at the Ford & Donnelly Foundry.
- 1902
George Kingston developed the first carburetor.
- 1906
*Elwood Haynes* discovered
the first Stellite cobalt-based alloy while searching for a metal appropriate for
flatware.
- 1912
*Elwood Haynes* invented
stainless steel that would provide rust free medical instruments.
- 1918
The first Howitzer shell was used in warfare. It was developed by the Superior Machine
Tool Company.
- 1918
The Liberty Pressed Metal Company developed the first aerial bomb with fins.
- Early 1920'S
John Powell developed the first mechanical corn picker.
- 1928
Kemp Brothers Canning Company developed the first canned tomato juice at the request of a
St. Louis doctor who was searching for baby food for use in his clinic.
- 1938
The *Delco* Radio Division of G.M.
developed the first push-button car radio.
- 1941
The first all metal-lifeboat was developed by Globe American Stove Company.
- 1943
The Globe American Stove Company developed the first all-metal life raft, nicknamed
"The Kokomo Kid"
- 1947
The *Delco* Radio Division of G.M.
developed the first signal-seeking car radio.
- 1957
The *Delco* Radio Division of G.M.
developed the first all-transistor car radio.
