<< Previous Article | Generations of GM History Timeline | Next Article >>

Led by "Boss" Kettering, GM Research chemists and engineers worked years and tested hundreds of materials to reduce the knocking sound produced by gasoline engines of the day and improve the engine’s efficiency and power. Finally, in 1921, they discovered the answer in tetraethyl lead additive. Working with chemical suppliers, GM developed the process for manufacturing this new gasoline. Called Ethyl, it was soon sold across North America and led to the development of more efficient and higher compression engines.