In the history of outboard motor companies within the United States, very few claim such an expansive and innovative legacy as Evinrude Outboard Motors. Unlike other multinational companies that have smaller departments dedicated towards the manufacturing of outboard motors, Evinrude focuses its entire product line on such engines. As with most companies, the outboard motor organization initially began in 1907 within the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Ole Evinrude, the company's founder, was the first individual to create an outboard motor that had practical uses within commercial settings. The initial engine design, created in 1907, featured a crank that was utilized in order to start the two-cycle engine. Later that year, Ole Evinrude founded his company and created a motor than ran on a mixture of gasoline and oil. By 1912, the company employed over 300 works and produced 9,412 motors. Company motors of this era were extremely revolutionary in terms of size, weight, and mechanics. One such engine included the 1916 3-horsepower twin-cylinder engine. The design was far more incredible than the performance. Built out of aluminum, the entire engine weighed less than 48 pounds - an unheard weight for such energy output at the time. In addition to the aluminum body, the new engine design also output the exhaust underwater via the propeller hub in order to avoid air emissions tainting the breathing area of nearby boaters.
Rubber hoods first appeared in evinrude outboard motors
Post-Depression company motors were vastly distinct from earlier models. In 1934, the company introduced the first outboard engine that surpassed 40 horsepower. Additionally, the support system for the motor was unique in its featuring of rubber mounting. The rationale for such mounting was that the rubber would absorb vibrations and sound while also protecting the engine unit. Later hooded caps on top of the motor lessened the overall sound and became a standard of outboard motors, still employed to this day. Whereas some companies focused more intensely on sole performance, Evinrude made sure to pay equal amounts of attention to the materials being utilized and their ability to increase the boating experience; consequently, the use of rubber and hoods brought outboard motors into a more realistic and commercially viable arena.
In a more contemporary sense, Evinrude still produces the same high performance and exceptional base materials as it did in the early 20th century. Still based out of Wisconsin, though now a town just south of Milwaukee, the company has continued to be at the forefront of industry innovation. With recent demands for pollution control from the United States' Environmental Protection Agency, Evinrude produced the energy efficient and low pollutant E-TEC outboard engine. The carbon emissions from an E-TEC engine were stated to be 30 to 50 percent lower than a similar four-stroke engine. The engine also does not require oil changes and does not necessitate belt, valve, or throttle adjustments. The addition of an air bypass circuit also moved to lessen any noise associated with the motor.
Evenrude outboard motors are high quality
Throughout the history of Evinrude, several central qualities have consistently asserted the company's forefront position within the outboard motor market. Firstly, the continual pursuit of innovation has kept the company not only ahead of competitors but more closely connected with consumer needs and expectations. Secondly, the company has long sought to provide only the highest quality products - whether those mean decreasing the amount of noise pollution with a motor hood or lessening emissions with