
Ole Evinrude and His Outboard Motor (Badger Biographies Series)
Why we picked it
This Badger Biography for young readers traces Ole Evinrude's invention of the first practical outboard motor from drawing board to factory floor, with historic images and sidebars explaining exactly how the engine works.
Our review
Norwegian-born Wisconsin entrepreneur Ole Evinrude had an idea: a small engine that could push a boat without requiring the owner to row. From drawing board to factory floor, this Badger Biography traces how he developed and patented the first practical outboard motor, complete with historic images, a glossary, and sidebars explaining how an outboard motor actually works. A story of mechanical ingenuity and entrepreneurial persistence.
Careers it connects to
Career pages on ImagineMyFuture that list this resource.
About this book
From the product listing
Wisconsin entrepreneur Ole Evinrude will inspire children in this addition to the Badger Biographies series for young readers, where the story of Oles invention, from drawing board to factory floor, is told in a reader-friendly format that includes historic images, a glossary of terms, and sidebars explaining how an outboard motor works.Ole Evinrude was born in Norway in 1877 and immigrated to the United States when he was five years old. The Evinrude family settled in Wisconsin and began farming, but it was clear from a very young age that Ole would not follow the family tradition. Ole Evinrude was meant to work with boats.Building an outboard motor was not easy, though - Ole suffered numerous mechanical and financial setbacks along the way. After years of hard work and persistence, the Evinrude motor company was founded and Oles outboard motors were an instant hit around the world. Ole continued to improve the design of his motor and attracted other entrepreneurs to the area, making Wisconsin the center of the outboard motor industry for decades.
Resource details
- Resource type
- Book
- Age ranges
- Elementary, Middle School
- Careers
- Mechanic



