OTA Dispatch Issue 4 2019

35 www.ortrucking.org Issue 4 | 2019 Influential People in Oregon’s Trucking Industry MURTY BROTHERS (Anthony “Tony” Murty and Benedict “Benny” Murty) In 1949, they invented the air spring brake (now the standard) and patented the mechanical tilting cabover truck cab, which was used by many in the industry. The Murty Brothers also conceived and later built the twin steer front axle for trucks in 1941. NORM WILLIAMS He was a pioneer in the air brake in the 1920’s. Originally from Myrtle Point, OR, he started working on vacuum brakes as a young man and progressed to air brakes. During WW2, Norm developed the tractor protection system which is the standard in the industry today. He also manufactured the Williams air scales for the logging industry, many control valves for truck-trailers and logging yarders, and the Blue Ox exhaust. In addition, Norm invented the air dentist drill, a standard in the dental industry today. JACK BURNS He and brother, Bob Burns, founded Burns Bros., Inc. in 1947, first in Portland, and eventually across the western U.S. They had 19 total truck stops at their peak. The company has since sold their travel stop division and is now a property management firm. THOMAS TAYLOR He led Consolidated Freightways, then became the president of Freightliner until his retirement. Thomas later bought Cummins Northwest from Cummins. FRED JUBITZ He’s the current President & CEO of one of the biggest (and known as one of the classiest) truck stops in the U.S. Fred was a competitor, but also friend, of Jack Burns. DEL HEWITT He invented a pyrometer that goes into the exhaust to measure engine exhaust gas temperature from the turbocharger, thus being able to control the temperature and not melt a piston. Del also built window controls for cab-over passenger window controls. KEN SELF He started working for Consolidated Freightways that eventually launched Freightliner. Ken was president of Freightliner until his retirement, and he was the first inductee from the trucking industry to the Automotive Hall of Fame. After he retired, he built two 2/3 scale mini Freightliners. Ken was also one of the six founders of the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum. ROBERT WILHELM He ran Wilhelm Trucking, a family-operated business that was in operation for over 100 years and was one of the longest running trucking companies in the state. They specialized in heavy haul and transported many of the generators used in dams within the Columbia River system. SOCRATES “SOAKY” ARCHITECT He owned 12 trucks and leased to Zellerback Paper Company. Soaky bought Freightliner trucks but built his own dashboard that he insisted on his trucks. He was the only customer allowed on the assembly line to make sure they were installed correctly. JULIUS “JUDY” GAUSSOIN He was the founder of Silver Eagle Industries and designed the Silver Eagle Fifth Wheel for tank trailers. Judy’s biggest contribution to the industry was his invention of the twin counter shaft transmission, better known as the Roadranger transmission. GLENN WATKINS He worked for Consolidated Freightways and was the Vice President of Sales and Service for Freightliner and where he spent significant time calling on Freightliner customers all over the U.S. Glenn was instrumental in designing the Freightliner half-cab.  Historical facts were provided by display pieces in the museum and supplemented by Terrence “Terry” E. Dovre, current President and one of the original founders of the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum in Brooks, Oregon. Terry has worked in the trucking industry for most of his life and retired from Brake Systems Inc., a truck parts company, out of Portland. He was personally acquainted with all the people on this list. The museum was founded in 1989 and is a non-profit run entirely by volunteers. Their mission is to promote the preservation of the Pacific Northwest motor truck history. www.pacificnwtruckmuseum.org Interested in learning more? Visit the “Hall of Honor” exhibit at the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum. We know there are plenty of other local trucking pioneers, and we simply don’t have the space to list them all. Please contact us if there are others you’d like to see in future issues of the Dispatch .