Creating a city in the desert, moving London Bridge to Arizona, and competing in business against his in-laws are just some of the unusual activities of outboard motor manufacturer Robert McCulloch which will be presented in “Tireless Entrepreneurs,” a talk by Larry Stevenson on Wednesday, July 5, 7 p.m. at Boothbay Railway Village.

In 1925 Robert McCulloch inherited a fortune then married a fortune, but he was a tireless entrepreneur who founded McCulloch Engineering Company, McCulloch Aviation which became McCulloch Motors, and McCulloch Oil Corporation. He also founded four residential communities. Learn about this colorful character and the other remarkable and brilliant men who developed outboard motors during the Depression years of the 1930s and continued to improve outboards and expand markets into the 1950s and early 1960s.

Outboard motor historian Larry Stevenson will present “Invention of the 4-cycle Outboard Motor” on Tuesday, July 11 at 7 p.m. One of the most interesting entrepreneurs in this story is Powell Crosley Jr. He took his son to the radio store to buy a crystal radio set, was astonished at the high price, and decided to start his own business making inexpensive radios on a mass production line. His venture was wildly successful, causing Crosley to be dubbed “The Henry Ford of Radio.” Crosley went on to start his own radio station with singers including Doris Day, and he started the car company Crosley Motors. In 1942 Crosley developed the COBRA engine into military generator sets on PT boats and assault craft. Other fascinating companies involved in the 4-cycle outboard are Aerojet, Fageol, Homelite, and Fischer Pierce who built everything from trucks to radios. All of these companies were founded by driven, inventive entrepreneurs, and each contributed a technological advance to the development of the 4-cycle outboard.

After the talks Larry Stevenson will conduct a tour of the newly opened Stevenson Outboard Collection, focusing on the outboard motors discussed in the presentation.

These talks are presented by outboard motor collector and historian Larry Stevenson. Larry is a Navy and Coast Guard Auxiliary veteran and a retired UPS International Industrial Engineering Manager in the international operation. He has a passion for industrial design, art, history, and sailing.

The talks are hosted by Boothbay Railway Village, 586 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. Admission is free, a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated. Visit the website www.railwayvillage.org or call 207-633-4727 for more information.