The U.S. Census Bureau reminds us that American interest in diesel-powered passenger cars isn’t a recent occurrence. 82 years ago today, on January 3, 1930, the first trip by a diesel-powered car in the U.S. got underway. Clessie Lyle Cummins left Indianapolis, Indiana, in a converted Packard sedan. He arrived in New York City three days later. He traveled just under 800 miles for a total fuel cost of $1.38.

Cummins, whose name is familiar to anyone who knows diesels, was born two days after Christmas 1888 in Henry County, Indiana, about forty miles east of Indianapolis. Though he only made it to the eighth grade, he was a gifted inventor who generated 33 U.S. patents over 56 years.

He founded the Cummins Engine Company and was its president for nineteen years. During his career, he set world speed and endurance records in race cars and trucks.

In 1955, Cummins retired from his company and moved to California, but continued to design and develop his ideas including automotive engines, fuel injection systems and the compression release engine brake system still sold as the “Jake Brake.”

C.L. Cummins was 80 years old when He passed away in his sleep August 17, 1968.