Automobiles have been around in one form or another for close to 150 years, and a lot has changed in that span of time. One of the more important innovations to develop over the last century-and-a-half of automotive technology is the invention of the muffler. Here, the experts of Madison Muffler and Auto, in Lake County, OH, share the history of this exhaust-silencing car part. 

Indiana Inventors

The muffler was developed by Milton O. and Marshall T. Reeves of Indiana. In 1897, they were both awarded the patent for their invention. Prior to creating the muffler, Milton Reeves—an accomplished inventor and pioneer in automobile engineering—made one of the first American automobiles in the form of a motorcycle. To quiet the roar of the bike’s engine, Reeves engineered a prototype for the muffler, which would eventually be used on all automobiles. 

Maxim’s Research

Before the Reeves brothers patented the automobile muffler, they had a predecessor who made their historic leap forward possible. In the middle of the 1890s, Hiram Maxim, an engineer and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, conducted research that would later lead to both the automotive muffler and the silencer used on firearms.  

While their name might suggest a specialized domain, Madison Muffler and Auto is a full-service auto shop. Widely respected in the Greater Madison area, these professional technicians handle everything from simple oil changes and inspections to brake repair and transmission and engine work. The family-owned and -operated business has served the local community for over 50 years. Today, the garage is staffed solely by ASE-certified technicians, so you by the most experienced professionals in the business. Visit the team's website to learn more about their trusted auto repair capabilities—including their work on mufflers—or call them directly at (440) 428-2677 today.