John Wickström (until 1889 Johannes Wickström; 13 December 1870—7 June 1959) was a Finnish-Swede engineer and entrepreneur.
Wickström was born in Kvevlax, Ostrobothnia. He emigrated to the United States at age of 19 and settled in Chicago, where he studied engineering. Wickström specialised on combustion engines and founded company for automobile production, but, eventually, his interest focused on boat engines.
Wickström returned to Finland in 1906 and founded a boat engine factory together with his brother Jakob. The engines became reputable and sales grew until the 1950s, when imported outboard engines started to replace the heavy middle engines.
Wickström was married twice.
Early life
Wickström was born as Johannes Wickström in Vassor village, Kvevlax, Ostrobothnia. His father Johan Wickström was a coppersmith, manufacturer and painter. The family had nine children, the oldest of which died at a young age. He attended primary school in his home village, but, from a young age, he worked in his father's workshop. He was interested at testing and creating; after seeing a picture of a bicycle on a Swedish newspaper, he built one for himself.
Emigration to America
As many other Ostrobothnians at the time, Johannes became interested in emigrating to the United States. After completing his school and confirmation, he borrowed money from his uncle for travelling over the Atlantic and left Finland in 1889. In the United States, he changed his name to John. Typical to Finnish immigrants, he became employed in a mine, but, due to his metalworking skills, he soon got a job in a plumbing company, after which he moved to a Chicago engineering company that produced pumps for pumping water inside skyscrapers. The company tested combustion engines, which were still undeveloped. Wickström studied mechanical engineering in North Park College, Chicago and was awarded some patents related to engines. Wickström's two younger brothers Mickel and Jakob moved to Chicago as well.
Soon, Wickström focused solely on combustion engines and founded Chicago Motor Cycle Coach Co. for automobile production in 1898. The first car, branded the Caloric, was produced in the same year. Caloric featured a 10–12-hp petrol engine, and it gained attention on streets of Chicago. The car was further developed and at the early 20th century an upgraded Caloric II was introduced. Reportedly, Caloric was displayed in the first Chicago Automobile Exhibit in 1901. However, less than ten Caloric cars are known to be produced.
Wickström kept his focus on boat engine production. He ran the Chicago Caloric Engine Company with his business partners. The company built boat engines and repaired cars in its premises located on Wabash Avenue. The boat engines were used at lakes Michigan and Superior. Wickström was involved in a third company called Economy Engine Company.
Return to Finland
Wickström had difficulties finding financing for engine development; he had to focus the production on existing, although still profitable, models. By using the property he had collected during his stay in the United States, Wickström believed he would be able to continue development of fishing boat engines in Finland, which was still an untapped market.
Upon returning to Finland in 1906, Wickström had to create a market for his engines. Ostrobothnian fishermen, used to propelling themselves by rowing or sailing over many generations, were wary of combustion engines. In order to convince the potential clientele about the benefits of engine power, Wickström arranged an American-style show event in which he tugged two boats loaded with people by a motor boat up along the Kyrönjoki River. Despite the excessive load, the travelling took less than one third the time compared to rowing. Consequently, Wickström's engines gained a lot of attention and the demand grew high enough that Wickström could start serial production.