Collection on Barney Oldfield
Barney Oldfield was American racing's first "superstar" documented in this collection through photographs, tickets, and advertisements.
Biographical / Historical Note
"You know me, Barney Oldfield," was the classic catch phrase of one of America's earliest celebrity sports figures and during the nascent period of the automobile most every American knew Berna Eli Oldfield. As a teenager, Oldfield worked odd jobs
More"You know me, Barney Oldfield," was the classic catch phrase of one of America's earliest celebrity sports figures and during the nascent period of the automobile most every American knew Berna Eli Oldfield. As a teenager, Oldfield worked odd jobs in Toledo earning money to buy his own bicycle to ride in local and regional road and endurance races barnstorming with bicycle racing teams throughout the Midwest.
During the winter of 1899, Oldfield reconnected with an old racing companion, Tom Cooper, who had just returned from England with a motorized two-wheeler (an early motorcycle). Cooper was going to demonstrate the vehicle at a race in Grosse Point, Michigan in October 1901 and asked Oldfield to come along. Cooper and Oldfield were a preliminary exhibition before the main event: a race between local "chauffeur," Henry Ford, and the most well-known automobile manufacturer of the day, Alexander Winton. After touring western states with the motorized bicycle, Oldfield returned to Detroit in the fall of 1902 at the request of Tom Cooper to drive a racecar. "The Race" between Cooper's 999, recently purchased from Henry Ford and driven by Oldfield, and Alexander Winton's "Bullet" captured the imaginations of not only Detroit's automotive elite, but the mass of people as well. When Oldfield piloted the 999 to victory over Winton's sputtering Bullet, the news spread like wildfire across Detroit, the Midwest, and eventually the nation.
Over the next 15 years, Barney Oldfield set multiple world speed records and gained notoriety wherever he went. After a brief stint driving for Winton, Oldfield took the wheel of the Peerless "Green Dragon" and established himself as America's premier driver claiming world records in the 1, 9, 10, 25, and 50-mile speed categories. In addition to entering 20 to 30 races and exhibitions a year, Oldfield also found time to appear on Broadway and in silent movies. Oldfield flaunted the conventions of his time both on and off the track and was sanctioned by the American Automobile Association for several years. In order to keep racing, Oldfield and his manager set up exhibitions at county and state fairs across the country holding, 3-heat matches against a traveling stable of paid drivers. Oldfield padded his reputation by adding an element of drama to these events by losing the first match, barely winning the second, and after theatrical tweaking and cajoling of his engine, winning the third match.
Barney Oldfield retired from competitive racing in 1918 although in typical Oldfield fashion, his final race was under suspension by the AAA. Oldfield continued to keep himself at the fore of America's sports entertainment culture with ceremonial "referee" jobs at various races and rubbing elbows with American movie, stage and music stars. Barney Oldfield's last public appearance was at the May 1946 Golden Jubilee of the Automobile Industry held in Detroit. Oldfield shared the main speaker's table with automotive icons including Henry Ford, Ransom Olds, and Frank Duryea and accepted a "trophy of progress" for his role in automotive history. Barney Oldfield passed away in October, 1946.
LessScope and Content Note
The Collection on Barney Oldfield consists of photographic prints, advertisements, postcards, promotional brochures, and event tickets highlighting various races and exhibitions in which Barney Oldfield participated. The Photographic Prints series, circa...
MoreThe Collection on Barney Oldfield consists of photographic prints, advertisements, postcards, promotional brochures, and event tickets highlighting various races and exhibitions in which Barney Oldfield participated. The Photographic Prints series, circa 1902-1936, contains photographic prints of Barney posing in various race cars or with other drivers. The Printed Material series, circa 1895-1949, consists of printed matter related to races and exhibitions. The series includes advertisements, clippings, correspondence and event tickets. Researchers should note that individual object identification numbers are included in the inventory below. These items are available for viewing at http://collections.thehenryford.org/index.aspx.
LessCollection Details
Object ID: 2005.108.0
Creator: Henry Ford (Organization). Benson Ford Research Center
Inclusive Dates: 1895-1949
Size: 1 oversize box
Language: English
Collection Access & Use
Item Location: Not Currently On Exhibit
Access Restrictions: The collection is open for research.
Credit: From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Related Objects
Digitized Artifacts From This Collection
In many cases, not all artifacts have been digitized.
Contact us for more information about this collection.
Barney Oldfield and Lincoln Beachey Racing, Columbus, Ohio, 1914
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1914
Summary
In this photograph from 1914 Barney Oldfield races his car against an airplane flown by Lincoln Beachey. Each man was renowned for either his racing or flying skill. Oldfield and Beachey partnered to perform daring feats throughout the country, selling tickets to eager spectators wanting to see these modern machines and to be entertained.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Barney Oldfield and Lincoln Beachey Racing, Columbus, Ohio, 1914
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Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz" next to Ralph DePalma in a Fiat, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910
Details
Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz" next to Ralph DePalma in a Fiat, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
16 March 1910
Summary
On March 16, 1910, Barney Oldfield sped down the ocean-washed sands at Daytona Beach, Florida. Piloting the "Lightning Benz," Oldfield topped 131 miles per hour to set a new one-mile, world's speed record -- topping the previous mark of 127.6 mph. A week later, the speedster broke the two miles and one kilometer speed records in the same vehicle.
Place of Creation
Object ID
2005.108.18
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Barney Oldfield in "Lightning Benz" next to Ralph DePalma in a Fiat, Daytona Beach, Florida, March 16, 1910
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Barney Oldfield and Former Boxing Champion Jim Jeffries in "Blitzen Benz," 1910
Artifact
Photographic postcard
Date Made
1910
Summary
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year, including the world's land speed record. This photo shows the auto-racing legend behind the wheel with former boxing champion Jim Jeffries.
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.20
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Barney Oldfield and Former Boxing Champion Jim Jeffries in "Blitzen Benz," 1910
What is The Henry Ford?
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Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
1910
Summary
In 1910, Barney Oldfield piloted the "Blitzen Benz." This powerful, German-made machine was built for speed. In March, the existing world's land speed record fell as the race car -- then named "Lightning Benz" -- bolted down the sands of Daytona Beach, Florida, at over 131 miles per hour. With Oldfield behind the wheel, the vehicle broke numerous track records throughout the year.
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.21
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Barney Oldfield Driving the "Blitzen Benz" Car on a Racetrack, 1910
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Barney Oldfield Greeting a "Safety First" Dog, New Jersey, 1936
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Barney Oldfield remained active in racing and the automotive industry after his last professional race in 1918. The showman attended and refereed racing meets, ran a tire company, drove a tractor faster than a mile a minute, test drove vehicles and appeared in movies. In the 1930s, Oldfield--who survived several racing accidents and had lost race track colleagues--campaigned for safe driving.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.22
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Barney Oldfield Greeting a "Safety First" Dog, New Jersey, 1936
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The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Barney Oldfield and Advertising Poster Outside a Chrysler Dealership, circa 1936
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
circa 1936
Summary
Barney Oldfield found ways to stay in the public spotlight well after his last professional race in 1918. The showman attended and refereed racing meets, ran a tire company, drove a tractor faster than a mile a minute, and appeared in movies and on the radio. In the mid-1930s, Oldfield joined with Plymouth to promote the car's performance and safety features.
Creators
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.23
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Barney Oldfield and Advertising Poster Outside a Chrysler Dealership, circa 1936
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Endorsement for Kitchel's Liniment, Showing Barney Oldfield Riding a Bicycle, 1896
Artifact
Advertisement
Date Made
1896
Summary
Automobile racing legend Barney Oldfield began his racing career on two wheels. In 1894, the sixteen-year-old Ohioan entered his first bicycle race -- he finished second. Over the next several years, the young cyclist competed in a number of competitions throughout the country. The budding showman also found time to promote various products, like Kitchel's Liniment.
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.11
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Endorsement for Kitchel's Liniment, Showing Barney Oldfield Riding a Bicycle, 1896
What is The Henry Ford?
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Ticket for the Beachey vs. Oldfield Racing Competition, "Championship of the Universe," Oakland, California, 1914
Details
Ticket for the Beachey vs. Oldfield Racing Competition, "Championship of the Universe," Oakland, California, 1914
Artifact
Ticket
Date Made
1914
Summary
Barney Oldfield and Lincoln Beachey partnered in 1914 and held exhibition races for eager spectators. Oldfield drove his race car while above Beachey flew his plane. This promotional ticket features images of both daredevils and claimed that the race was for the "Championship of Universe."
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.6
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ticket for the Beachey vs. Oldfield Racing Competition, "Championship of the Universe," Oakland, California, 1914
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Speed Age The Motor Racing Magazine, March 1949
Artifact
Magazine (Periodical)
Date Made
1949
Summary
Post-World War II race fans turned to motorsport magazines, like Speed Age, for racing news and information. Monthly issues of Speed Age -- first published in 1947 -- kept fans abreast of midget, stock and Indy car races and even motorcycle and powerboat events. This leading racing magazine offered timely reporting before widespread-televised coverage or 24-hour internet access.
Creators
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
2005.108.8
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
On Exhibit
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Speed Age The Motor Racing Magazine, March 1949
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
