Ralph R Teetor

The family lived their lives as if Ralph could see normally. (Ralph is 1st row, third from left)

• When asked what more he could have done had he been able to see, Ralph replied, “I probably couldn’t have done as much, because I can concentrate & you can’t.”
• A reporter was quoted as saying: “I only wish I could see as much with two good eyes as Ralph does with none.”
• Ralph R. Teetor had an iron-willed perseverance in a world that was reluctant to allow him to be independent.
• Ralph commonly used expressions such as, “Let me see it” or “I think I see the problem.”

Ralph Teetor’s life spanned the entire development of the automobile industry in the U.S., participating in much of its technology.

Pictured in the early 1890s, John Teetor rides a bicycle designed by his younger brother Charlie (C.N.) to be ridden on the railroad tracks for inspection purposes. A similar vehicle hangs in the foyer of John Teetor’s great-grandchildren’s home in South Park, Lake Wawasee, Indiana.

This bicycle design led to the 1890’s incorporation of the Railway Cycle Manufacturing Company in Hagerstown, Indiana, by the five Teetor brothers – Charles N., John (Ralph’s father), Henry, Frank and Joe – plus Charles Hartley and his father, John; and Henry Keagy.  Soon the vehicles were being shipped all over the world.

In 1902, in Hagerstown, Indiana, Ralph and his visiting second cousin, Dan, built a little car. Ralph was working on an electric lighting plant for his parents’ home.

In 1936, Ralph Teetor was elected president of the National Society of Automotive Engineers with safety as his major theme in talks around the country.

The Lake Wawasee Connection

Between college graduation (1912, University of Pennsylvania) and his 1922 marriage to Miss Nellie Van Antwerp, Ralph Teetor pursued a hobby of boat building. His greatest interest was seeing how fast he could make a motorboat go.

Sargent’s Hotel was built in 1914 on the north shore of Lake Wawasee. Ralph R. Teetor first signed the Sargent’s Hotel Guest Register in July 27, 1915.

For one summer, Ralph brought Chris & Jay Smith’s Miss Detroit to Wawasee to see how she would run on the smooth surface of the largest lake in Indiana.

In 1921, seeking a better place to keep his boats, Ralph persuaded his parents (John and Kate Teetor) to purchase a cottage on the south shore (South Park) of Lake Wawasee, the largest natural lake in Indiana. Wawasee is located in northeastern Indiana near Syracuse, a little over 130 miles from Ralph’s hometown of Hagerstown.

In 1931, Ralph & wife Nellie purchased a cottage next door to his parents. It was a wonderful, rambling old frame house first built in 1897. Ralph loved to change and improve the house throughout his lifetime. It continued to be enjoyed by three more generations, until in 2022, maintenance became overwhelming, leading to building a new house on the site. The John Teetor home had previously been replaced when Ralph’s grandchildren needed space to spread out.

Other Teetor families & factory executives followed Ralph to Wawasee, renting, building, or purchasing summer cottages. The days at the lake were carefree vacation getaways.

Daniel C. “Dan” Teetor, Ralph’s second cousin, always a close friend and support, enjoyed a house in Vawter Park (pier 467) from 1936 until the mid-1960’s.

South Shore Inn on Lake Wawasee, Indiana, was headquarters for many Perfect Circle 500 Mile Race parties for buyers and officials of the company.

The company yearly hosted a fishing party on the lake for its executives. Ralph invented a more comfortable pistol-grip fishing pole handle.

Research based on One Man’s Vision by Ralph Teetor’s only child, Marjorie Teetor Meyer (1931 – 2019); artifacts in the summer, 2024 S-WHM exhibit loaned by his grandson, Ralph Meyer

The documentary follows the extraordinary journey of Ralph Teetor from childhood blindness through his life of fierce determination and distinctive mental vision to become an inventive, insightful leader, and philanthropist. Teetor’s life spanned the entire development of the American automobile industry.  He became president of Perfect Circle Piston Ring Corporation in Hagerstown, Indiana, and his modern cruise control invention makes driving much more relaxing.

The Lake Wawasee connection for the Teetor family started at the Sargent Hotel as early as 1915.   Seeking a more convenient place to keep their speedboat, it wasn’t long before Ralph’s parents bought a cottage in South Park, beginning over a century of the family summering on Lake Wawasee. His great, great grandchildren still enjoy the property today.  Other Teetor families & factory executives followed Ralph to Wawasee. The days at the lake were carefree vacation getaways. 

Thanks to Ralph Teetor’s great grandson, Jonathon Meyer, compiling vintage family movies, and to Music Composer Jim Andron (pictured above at a young age on the lake.), the audience was treated to a preview film of Teetor families enjoying Lake Wawasee.  The “Blind Logic” documentary credits include three of Dan Teetor’s grandsons who often visited the lake: Writer, Director and Producer Jack Teetor, Photo Editor Daniel Teetor and Music Composer Jim Andron.  We even found out that A mural honoring inventor Ralph Teetor won a Fort Wayne artist top prize in the Wayne County Murals Program’s competition, according to a news release.

1890’s – Railway Cycle Manufacturing Company – Charles N. Teetor designed a bicycle to be ridden on the rails to inspect the railroad track.  The company was incorporated in Hagerstown, Indiana, by the five Teetor brothers – Charles, John, Henry, Frank and Joe – and Charles Hartley and his father, John; and Henry Keagy.  Soon the vehicles were being shipped all over the world.

Early 1900’s – Light Inspection Car Company – C.N. Teetor developed a single-cylinder gasoline engine to propel automobiles which were just being born.

1914 – became Teetor-Hartley Motor Company when many carriage makers in Indiana converted to automobile manufacturing.

1918 – entering the age of industrial specialization, Indiana Piston Ring Company produced piston rings, key to engine performance.

1926 – “Perfect Circle” became the company name, merging with the General Piston Ring Company in Tipton under the management of Daniel C. “Dan” Teetor.

1958 – Invented by Ralph R. Teetor, Cruise Control, originally known as Speedostat, was introduced.

1963 – Perfect Circle Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Dana Corporation of Toledo, Ohio. Operations ceased in Hagerstown.

Company presidents (who enjoyed Lake Wawasee): John Teetor served 32 years as company president until 1928. Charles “C.N.” Teetor was Perfect Circle president from 1928 to 1937.  Lothair Teetor (oldest of CN.’s sons) served from 1937-1946.  Ralph R. Teetor was Perfect Circle president from 1946 – c. 1957.