Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer purchases the bankrupt Cedarburg (Wis.) Manufacturing Co., intending to build magnetic separators for dairy farms. He redesigns and repairs 300 outboards abandoned by previous owners, sells the motors and finds himself in the outboard motor business. The next year, the Mercury brand is introduced with five engine models.

1947

The 10-horsepower Mercury Lightning is introduced at the New York Boat Show. Touting "Full-Jeweled Power," the motor boasts the most horsepower per pound ever.

1948

The world's first four-in-line two-cycle outboard, the Mercury Thunderbolt, is introduced.

1956

The first six-cylinder outboard engine, the Mercury Mark 75, is introduced. At 60 horsepower, it is the most powerful outboard available.

1957

Kiekhaefer launches "Operation Atlas," a nonstop, "around the world" endurance run on its secret testing lake in Florida using two boats powered by Mark 75 outboards. After 34 days, 11 hours, 47 minutes and 5.4 seconds, the first boat completes 25,003 miles, followed minutes later by the second boat.

1962

"The Tower of Power," the Mercury 1000, is the world's first 100-horsepower production outboard. It is also the first Mercury outboard painted "Phantom Black," which becomes Mercury's signature branding.

1968

Mercury snow vehicles are sold to the public for the first time.

1971

Brooks Abernathy, who became president of Kiekhaefer Mercury after Kiekhaefer's resignation in 1969, announces the division's name change to Mercury Marine.

1976

The 1750 "Black Max" is introduced as the first V-6 outboard, the highest horsepower production motor available.

1987

Electronic Fuel Injection outboards debut with the Mercury Laser XRI and the Mariner Magnum EFI.

1996

Mercury brings the first Direct Fuel Injected (DFI) two-stroke low-emissions outboard to market.

2004

Mercury introduces the Verado family of four-stroke outboards and the first supercharged in-line six-cylinder production outboard.

2011

The Mercury 150 Four-Stroke is launched at the Genoa, Italy, boat show as the smallest and lightest 150-horsepower four-stroke engine.

2014

Mercury Marine celebrates its 75th anniversary.

2004 Mercury Verado. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Dennis Anderson

Columnist

Outdoors columnist Dennis Anderson joined the Star Tribune in 1993 after serving in the same position at the St. Paul Pioneer Press for 13 years. His column topics vary widely, and include canoeing, fishing, hunting, adventure travel and conservation of the environment.