Alfred P. Sloan Jr. Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

Alfred P. Sloan Jr. (1875-1966), a one-time electrical engineer who had helped General Motors recover from a stock crisis, was Chairman of the Board of GM. Sloan, who continued as Chief Executive Officer of GM until 1946, resigned from the chairmanship in 1956. He had attained his first presidency at the age of 24, when he took over Hyatt Roller Bearing Company, which had begun making ball bearings at his suggestion. The operation merged with United Motors Corporation in 1916, and two years later that firm (with Sloan at the helm) became part of General Motors Corporation. Sloan was first made Vice President of the newly formed corporation before becoming President of GM on May 10, 1923. After he retired at age 81, Sloan was named Honorary Chairman of the Board, a title he held until his death in February 1966. In addition to his administrative skills, Sloan is also remembered for his philanthropy, including the establishment of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in 1934 and, in 1945, of the Sloan-Kettering Institute (now Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) with fellow GM executive Charles F. Kettering.