Edward Carl "Eddie" Bald (1874–1946) was an
American
American(s) may refer to:
* American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America"
** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America
** American ancestry, pe ...
cyclist
Cycling, also, when on a two-wheeled bicycle, called bicycling or biking, is the use of cycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport. People engaged in cycling are referred to as "cyclists", "bicyclists", or "bikers". Apart from two ...
and
automobile racing
Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition.
Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organi ...
driver who was retroactively awarded the 1907
National Championship
A national championship(s) is the top achievement for any sport or competition, contest within a league of a particular nation or nation state. The title is usually awarded by contests, ranking systems, stature, ability, etc. This determines the be ...
in 1951.
USAC & AAA Indycar Champions / US National Championship
Motorsports etc. He was also a champion bicycle racer in the 1890s, nicknamed "The Cannon."[''New York Times.'' "Edward C. Bald, Sr.: Former bicycle champion and automobile racer dies." July 2, 1946.]
As a cyclist, Bald rode and promoted Columbia Bicycles
Columbia may refer to:
* Columbia (personification), the historical female national personification of the United States, and a poetic name for America
Places North America Natural features
* Columbia Plateau, a geologic and geographic region in ...
. In 1904, Bald spent time at the Columbia factory learning about automobiles. Late that year, he was part of the team which re-took the Chicago to New York record of 58 hrs, 35 min in a Columbia car. Other drivers included Bert Holcomb (who was in charge of the run), Lawrence Duffie (Demonstrator of the Gasoline Dept of Electric Vehicle Company
Electric Vehicle Company was an American automobile holding company and early pioneering manufacturer of automobiles.
History
The Electric Vehicle Company was founded September 27, 1897 as a holding company of battery-powered electric vehicle ...
, which manufactured Columbia cars), Harry Sandol, and Ray Harroun
Ray Harroun (January 12, 1879 – January 19, 1968) was an American racecar driver and pioneering constructor most famous for winning the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. He is the inventer of the open-wheel car.
Biography
He was born on Janua ...
. Bald went on to race Columbia cars for several years in both road and track events.
After his racing career, he was an auto salesman from 1909 until he retired in 1925. He was born in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of New York (behind only New York City) and the seat of Erie County. It is at the eastern end of Lake Erie, at the head of the Niagara River, and is across the Canadian border from South ...
on January 27, 1874Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...
on July 1, 1946 at the age of 72.
References
External links
On this page are two photos of Eddie Bald in 1904
as part of the team which re-took the Chicago-to-New York Record in a Columbia Car
in other Columbia cars, plus news items and a link to further material which includes bicycle photos
1874 births
1946 deaths
American male cyclists
Sportspeople from Buffalo, New York
Racing drivers from New York (state)
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