Herbert C. Harrison

Who was Herbert C. Harrison?

Herbert Champion Harrison, is credited with the invention and development of the modern hexagon cellular "honeycomb" automotive radiator and was the founder of the Harrison Radiator Company in 1910. Born in Calcutta, India to British parents, his father was the Controller General of the Indian Civil Service in the British Empire. Harrison was educated in England at the Rugby School and graduated from Oxford University in 1900 with an honours degree in Chemistry. In 1907, Harrison moved to the United States as Vice President of the Susquehanna Smelting Company, which moved to Lockport, New York, where Harrison founded the Harrison Radiator Company in 1910. Harrison Radiator operated as an independent supplier to the growing American automotive industry until sold to Alfred P. Sloan's United Motors Company in 1917. United Motors was acquired one year later by its largest customer, General Motors. Harrison continued as President of the company until his death in London in 1927. The company became Delphi Thermal Systems in 1999, but was repurchased by General Motors as part of its components holding company in October 2009. Today it makes radiators and air conditioners.