Ole Evinrude and His Outboard Motor

By Bob Jacobson

This inspiring story follows Wisconsin entrepreneur Ole Evinrude, a Norwegian immigrant, as he turns his love of boats into a successful outboard motor company and helps to make Wisconsin the center of the outboard motor industry for decades.

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 Ole's 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.