Harry A. Miller's Legacy
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Miller Engine Victory at Indianapolis - 14 times
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Miller Engine & Chassis Victory at Indianapolis - 9 times
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Miller by the Numbers
Harry's story is that of humble beginnings, passion, desire, innovation, triumphant success, crushing defeat, and untimely ends. For those who knew him, he was the light of a room and the man at the track. His early Midwest upbringing inspired the work ethic that most modern men can only dream of. This lead to his creativity and passion to divulge his desire for bigger, better, and above all - - faster. His aluminum, bronze, and steel chariots are works of art, only attainable by those who knew the price it took to not just compete, but to win. His story is intertwined with the some of the most significant minds of the automotive and aeronautical world. With names like Fred Offenhauser, Frank Lockhart, Harry Hartz, Cliff Durant, Gar Wood, and so many others, his story entangles with the stories of other industry greats. Inspiring, being inspired by, and working with some of the greatest names to bless the oval and shoreline.
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Today, he is celebrated as one of the most prolific and inspiring minds of the automotive racing world. With his technology winning the Indianapolis 500 8 times, and his tech comprising 80% of the field in the late 1920s, he is one of the most successful race car designers of the 20th century. His accomplishments are that of fantasy, except that his ideas, his work, and his passion was real. Today we celebrate the man who was Harry A. Miller, and all he did for the American Racing industry.
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Harry A. Miller - His Story
1895
1897
On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
In 1897, Harry marries Edna Inez Lewis, whom Harry nicknamed "Nezzie", and the newly weds return to Harry's hometown of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Here Harry took a job as Foundry Foreman at Globe Iron Works, further honing Harry's knowledge and craft of patternmaking, forgings, and castings.
By 1895, Harry had made his was to the West Coast in Los Angeles, California, working in a bicycle factory. Presumeably, this was the Harry's first move to Los Angeles, as he travels across the country a few times more within the next few years.
Harry spent the majority of 1906 in Lansing, Michigan, working as a mechanic for "Olds Motor Works" where he would get his first taste of automotive racing. Harry was tasked with preparing a four cylinder powered passenger car for the Vanderbilt Cup Races for the Oldsmobile Factory team. This task is what would propel him on a path craving for more automotive racing in the many years to come.
With Harry experimenting on various carburetor ideas and designs with Frank Adamson, Harry would soon open a machine shop at 1939 South Maple Avenue, Los Angeles CA, and would be incorporated as the "Miller Carburetor and Manufacturing Co." in 1909. Over the next several years, Miller and Adamson would apply for many carburetor patents in various forms of updraft, downdraft, and sidedraft configurations.
By 1914, Harry A. Miller Manufacturing is established with well over 50 staff members. This includes draftsmen, machinists, patternmakers, mechanics, forgers, and one shop foreman, Fred Offenhauser. Producing Adamson & Miller "Master Carburetors", and other automotive aftermarket parts. This amasses Harry's first small fortune, that he would then utilize to pursue automotive racing endeavors.
April of 1915, Harry Miller finishes the rebuild of "Wild Bob" Burman's Dual-Overhead-Cam Peugeot 8 cylinder engine. Minor improvements were made to the engine, replacing the H-Beam connecting rods with lighter, tubular forged rods, and opted for babbit-lined main bearings. During the 1915 and 1916 seasons, the gates open for performance engine builds at Harry A. Miller Manuf. and begins the development of Miller Racing Engines.
From a letter of recommendation sent by W. P. Chrysler in 1919, Leo Goossen was hired by the increasingly popular race car and engine builder, Harry Miller. Goossen soon became the voice of reason to Harry's ambitious ideas, and with his skills on the board, Leo would bring to life many of the wild ideas Harry could conjure and result in some of the finest, most precise equipment America's oval has seen.
That same year, Leo Goossen led the design of the Miller "TNT Car". With a bore of 3.25 inches and a stroke of 5 inches, this 166 cubic inch 4 cylinder engine led to the development of the Miller 183 straight 8 platform
1875
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
***On December 9th, 1875, Harold Arminius Miller was born in the sleepy town of Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Jacob Muller (adopting the surname of 'Miller' after arriving to America from Aschaffenburg, Bavaria) and Martha Ann Tuttle. Harry, the second oldest to a family of 5 children (three sons and two daughters) quickly demonstrated his mechanical aptitude at a young age after he left school to earn a living as a bicycle repairman.
1915
1914
1919
1919
In 1920, Tommy Milton approaches Harry Miller with an order for a 183ci engine. Milton's persistence with the eight cylinder platform resulted in Harry and Leo Goossen
1909
1906
Today, we honor the acheivements and ideas that Harry brought forth into automotive world in many ways. Through Museums and private collections, Harry's legendary racing technology continues to turn laps at the track. Various clubs like the Harry A. Miller Club put together yearly events in which historic legends of the track can
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Thank you for contributing to the preservation and commitment of Harry A. Miller's Legacy. We hope to hear from you and we hope to see you at the track!
Written by Wesley Linn, of Harry A. Miller LLC 2022
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"The Miller dynasty: A technical history of the work of Harry A. Miller, his associates, and his successors" by Mark L. Dees
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"Miller" by Griffith Borgeson with the Smithsonian Institution
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"The Last Great Miller: The Four Wheel Drive Indy Car" by Griffith Borgeson
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Harry A. Miller INC Product Pamphlets circa 1922-1933
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Motor Magazine Publications circa 1931, 1932, 1934, 1936
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Old Machine Press - https://oldmachinepress.com/
References
For a more extensive history of Harry A. Miller please visit the Harry A. Miller display at the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed for more details about the wonderful accomplishments of Harry A. Miller, or look to the many in depth publications regarding Miller and his engineering feats listed below.
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You can also check out the "Harry A. Miller Podcast" on Spotify. There we take a deeper dive on the accomplishments, stories, and mishaps surrounding Harry's performance industry legacy.
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Reading List:
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"The Miller Dynasty: A Technical History of the Work of Harry A. Miller, his Associates, and his Successors" by Mark L. Dees
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"MILLER" by Griffith Borgeson with the Smithsonian Institution
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"The Last Great Miller: the Four-Wheel-Drive Indy Car" by Griffith Borgeson
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For More Information Please Visit:
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Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed - Lincoln, NE
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Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum - Indianapolis, IN
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Smithsonian Instituion "National Museum of American History" - Washington DC, MD
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The Henry Ford Museum - Dearborn, MI
More Info
For more updates on Today's ongoing Harry Miller research and restorations, subscribe to our quarterly (4 times every year) newsletter!
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Our newsletter quarterlies are released on the following dates each year:
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March 1st
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June 1st
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September 1st
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December 1st
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Miller Quarterly
Collection of various competitors sporting Harry A. Miller Inc. racing tech throughout the 1920's and early 1930's.
