(1935) "Blind" Driver Drives Through Oregon Town In A Studebaker

[DEEPNHOCK]

(Snippet copy - See link for complete article)

http://www.eastoregonian.com/eo/out-of-the-vault/20150929/pendleton-wowed-by-blind-driver

A Texan claiming to be able to see with his fingers wowed Pendleton audiences in December 1935 when he donned an elaborate blindfold and drove a brand-new Studebaker through city streets.



He made several stops around town, picking himself out a bottle of milk from a local dairy truck, pouring himself coffee at a diner, discerning different colors with only his fingertips and giving a talk on par-optic vision. He also talked up local businesses at every stop, serving as a mobile advertisement for chiropractic medicine (which helped restore his eyesight), Foster Motor Company (who supplied the Studebaker for his demonstration), Doherty Auto Service (where he demonstrated their brake testing equipment) and Troy Laundry (where he demonstrated laundry machines). He then retired to the Hotel Pendleton for a well-earned rest. Pendletonians were amazed at his abilities.

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Renee Struthers is the Community Records Editor for the East Oregonian. See the complete collection of Out of the Vault columns at eovault.blogspot.

[jclary]

Hmmnn...Could've been his great grandson who drove through my pasture fence this spring? Took out about thirty feet of field fence, managed to back out, and I didn't discover it until the next day. Part of your article above states... (the) "par-optic" stopped...(in) town, picking himself out a bottle of milk from a local dairy truck"...I don't think the culprit (Par-Optic?) who ran through my fence was drinking only milk!

[Studebaker Wheel]

Studebaker Indy race drivers Luther Johnson and Tony Gulotta toured the country in two different Indy cars (outfitted for street use) after the race stopping at various dealers and putting on the blindfold demonstration. Generally a prominent local official like the mayor, police or fire chief, etc would be invited to accompany the driver (they were two-man cars). I have Tony Gulotta's blind fold. Would be glad to perform the stunt at an Intl meet some time if someone would like to loan me their Indy race car.

[studegary]

Reminds me of a van in this area in the 1950s that had a sign on the back stating; "blind man driving". It turned out that the van was owned by a guy who owned a venetian blind company.