The Inventor of Cruise Control Couldn’t See

Ralph Teeter, a blind mechanical engineer, invented cruise control. Despite losing his sight as a child, he excelled in visualizing objects and created several inventions, including an early powered lawn mower and a new fishing pole. His most significant contribution was cruise control, inspired by the discomfort he felt from a car's speed fluctuations during World War 2. Initially called the speedostat, it became a standard feature in cars by 1958. Teeter's story is a testament to innovation and overcoming adversity.

What was the original name of the invention that became cruise control?

How did cruise control evolve from a luxury feature to a standard part of cars?