What's the Story? #445 - J. C. Harris' Voice Command Car

[Otto Puzzell]

For one point: Who was that guy, and what was he doing?

Only a correct, complete and specific answer will earn a point; tag-on's to other guesses will not. So, be specific and complete!
 

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[Otto Puzzell]

Up

[Otto Puzzell]

Up

[Craig Gillingham]

The man is JC Harris, who was the manager for the Gibson company in Indianapolis. What he is doing, oddly, is starting the car with a voice activated control. He says "Start" and the car starts, via relays and telephone transmitters. The photo was said to have been taken in 1917, although the car is an earlier 1915 or 16 Overland.

[Otto Puzzell]

That's it!