Having an interest in engines at a young age, Stephen Foster Briggs of Watertown took apart and repaired as many objects as he could. He graduated from South Dakota State College (the predecessor of SDSU) in 1907. While taking some upper-level classes, Briggs developed a 6-cylinder, 2-cycle engine. One of the coaches from SDSC, Bill Juneau, saw the young man’s talents and introduced him to an entrepreneurial-minded friend, Harold Stratton of Wisconsin. Stratton, a successful grain merchant, also saw Briggs’ potential, and together, they decided to break into the quickly expanding automobile market. The Briggs & Stratton engine was born. In 1928, the company joined the New York Stock Exchange.
This week’s What’s New Wednesday celebrates Briggs & Stratton with the 1929 FI gasoline engine. This type of engine was used on a lawn mower. Small engines, like the one shown, propelled the company to what we know today; however, during WWII, Briggs & Stratton also produced generators.
Briggs eventually went on to purchase Evinrude and Johnson Outboards and created the Outboard Marine Corporation. He had many accolades, notably a number from SDSC including an honorary doctorate (1956) and SDSC Distinguished Alumnus (1961). One year after his death in 1976, SDSU named him the 1977 Distinguished Engineer. Stephen F. Briggs died at 90 years old, but left his love of engines, as Briggs & Stratton motors still grace the market today.