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Dana Corporation Recognizes Early Inventors at SAE World Congress DETROIT, Mich., March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dana Corporation is launching its centennial celebration by recognizing its early inventors at the SAE World Congress, which began in Detroit today. A special display featuring some of Dana's original products -- as well as the people and processes behind them -- will be on display in Booth 2979. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA ) "Kicking off our centennial celebration at SAE was a perfect fit for us," said Mike Burns, president and chief executive officer of Dana Corporation. "In fact, three Dana people have served as president of SAE, which, incidentally, celebrates its centennial next year. As we look forward to a second century of innovation, we also look forward to a continued partnership with SAE." Dana inventors and their products have made significant contributions to the automotive industry. Among the most notable products, and their inventors, are: - First patented universal joint -- Clarence Spicer. Mr. Spicer began producing the enclosed universal joint in 1904, which for the first time provided protection from dirt and debris of the rough, unpaved roads of its day. Mr. Spicer was ultimately issued nearly 30 U.S. patents related to universal joints and propeller shafts. Mr. Spicer is a past president of SAE. - First practical transmission -- Alexander Brown and the Lipe brothers. Mr. Brown was a prolific inventor who earned an incredible 145 patents over the course of 50 years. He collaborated with fellow inventor Charles Lipe on a variety of products, including a two-speed bicycle gear, and then with Willard Lipe. The Brown-Lipe Gear Company then introduced the first practical transmission for automobiles. - First pressed-steel frame on a production basis -- Neff Parish. Mr. Parish answered the urgent need for a car frame that could withstand the abuse of unpaved roads. Later, Mr. Parish and his team pioneered frames made of alloy hot-rolled steel. - Slotted oil control ring -- The Teetors of Hagerstown, Ind. The Teetors got their start by designing and manufacturing a pedal-powered quadricycle for use on railroads in 1895. In 1992, the Teeters developed a series of advancements, including the slotted oil control ring in 1922. Separately, Ralph Teetor, blinded at the age of 12, invented cruise control in the 1950s. Mr. Teetor isa past president of SAE. - Thinwall, bi-metal engine bearing -- John Palm and Ben Hopkins. This pair of inventors with the Clevite Graphite Bronze Company invented the thinwall, bi-metal engine bearing in 1929. Clevite engineers later developed the first tri-metal bearing. - Spin-on oil filter -- John Wicks. Mr. Wicks left a filter company, tried his hand at selling candy, then returned to the filter business with his own ideas and patents. He conceived and patented the revolutionary spin-on oil filter, which he called "twist of the wrist," in the 1940s. To recognize the ongoing achievements of Dana inventors, the company created the Spirit of Innovation Awards in 2001, honoring the technical teams behind its most promising new products. In the last three years, these award- winning teams developed an electric-hydraulic power-assist steering module, which is now featured on GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado hybrid pickup trucks; a high-performance bearing overlay; and the Wave-stopper(TM) sealing technology. Dana Corporation is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacture of value-added products and systems for automotive, commercial, and off-highway vehicles. Delivering on a century of innovation, the company's continuing operations employ approximately 45,000 people worldwide dedicated to advancing the science of mobility. Founded in 1904 and based in Toledo, Ohio, Dana operates technology, manufacturing, and customer-service facilities in 30 countries. Sales from continuing operations totaled $7.9 billion in 2003. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990903/DANA http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Dana Corporation CONTACT: Jeff Cole of Dana Corporation, +1-419-535-4704, or Web site: http://www.dana.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/226839.html

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