Centerville-Washington History March Speaker Series Program
Centerville-Washington History presents: "Roots: Cars Born in Dayton" by Tom Gaudion on March 17
Event details
Tue, Mar 17 2026
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Free Speaker Series
JOIN us on March 17, 2026, at 7 PM at the RecPlexWest auditorium for "Roots: Cars Born in Dayton," presented by Tom Gaudion.
Dayton’s involvement in the auto industry is far deeper than Edward Deeds, Charles Kettering, and the Barn Gang. Fifty-three different companies tried to make designing and building cars their business in the Miami Valley. Of course, parts manufacturing is still a vital part of the area’s economy, and some of those companies have very interesting stories. Explore the manufacturers who called Dayton home and learn about some of the local people who were involved.
Tom Gaudion received a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue in 1974. That was when signs saying, “Would the last engineer in Seattle, please turn out the lights,” were posted near the Boeing plants in Seattle. So, he took a nice, safe job back in Dayton with Frigidaire’s automotive air conditioning group. He was laid off six months later and went on to spend the rest of his career in aerospace. However, Tom never lost his curiosity about cars and Dayton’s involvement in their production.
This FREE presentation is open to the public. Reservations are not required. Donations welcome. Enjoy refreshments starting at 6:30 PM and the program from 7-8 PM in the auditorium. For more information, call Centerville-Washington History at 937-433-0123 or visit centervillewashingtonhistory.org.
Links & Tags
Washington Township Rec Plex
Centerville-Washington History.
