James A. Allison

He was the inventor of the Allison Perfection Fountain Pen and with Carl G. Fisher, founded Prest-O-Lite, a manufacturer of automobile headlights.

He joined the Indianapolis-based bicycle group the "Zig-Zag Club," where he met future business partners Carl G. Fisher and Arthur C. Newby.

Fisher had met Percy "Fred" Avery, the holder of the patent for the product, and the three of them formed Concentrated Acetylene Company in September 1904.

The partners hit the market with perfect timing as the automobile industry was growing rapidly and the ability to see at night was naturally a great benefit.

Allison supported Fisher's efforts to lead the development of transcontinental highways, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Miami Beach.

[1] Allison (who had a heart condition) and Fisher also were responsible for the building of a hospital in Miami Beach, Fla.

The other division, Allison Transmission, was acquired by a private equity firm in 2007, but still has a close affiliation with GM.

Allison died of pneumonia in 1928 at the age of 55 and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

James Allison was portrayed by local Indiana actor Harold "Hal" Hefner for all the IMS centennial era events.