Professional Amateur: The Biography of Charles Franklin Kettering
, subject: Charles F. Kettering biography; invention, engineering, Delco, General Motors
A biography the show uses to examine Charles Kettering’s approach to work through the idea of the “professional amateur.”
About the book
David builds Episode 125 around Boyd's biography and uses its original title to frame Kettering's habit of approaching engineering problems with an amateur's curiosity and a professional's persistence. He later calls the book absolutely fantastic in Episode 189.
Why read it
Best if you want a biography of Charles Kettering and are especially interested in the work approach David associates with the idea of a professional amateur.
Key themes
- The professional amateur
- A dedicated biographical study
Evidence and original sources
This record is supported by 4 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Charles Kettering (inventor, engineer, founder) — This episode is a dedicated biography of Charles F. Kettering, drawn from Thomas Boyd's 1957 biography originally titled Professional Amateur.
- David Ogilvy (The book I've given as a gift the most) — David identifies Professional Amateur as Founders episode 125.
Unofficial listener-built companion, not affiliated with or endorsed by David Senra or Founders Podcast.