Herbert Champion Harrison (October 4, 1876 - March 6, 1927), is credited with the invention and development of the modern hexagon cellular "honeycomb" automotive radiator and was the founder of the Harrison Radiator Company in 1910. Born in Calcutta India to British parents, his father was the Controller General of the Indian Civil Service in the British Empire

British Empire

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...

. Harrison was educated in England at the Rugby School

Rugby School

Rugby School is a co-educational day and boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, England. It is one of the oldest independent schools in Britain.-History:...

 and graduated from Oxford University in 1900 with an honours degree in Chemistry. In 1907, Harrison moved to the United States as Vice President of the Susquehanna Smelting Company, which moved to Lockport, New York

Lockport (city), New York

Lockport is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 21,165 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a set of Erie canal locks within the city. Lockport is the county seat of Niagara County and is surrounded by the town of Lockport...

 where Harrison founded the Harrison Radiator Company (predecessor to Harrison Radiator Corporation

Harrison Radiator Corporation

Harrison Radiator Corporation was an early manufacturer of automotive radiators that became a division of General Motors in 1918. Today its business is a part of General Motors's Automotive Components Group. Based in Lockport, NY, the company was founded by Herbert C. Harrison, an inventor and...

) in 1910. Harrison Radiator operated as an independent supplier to the growing American automotive industry until sold to Alfred P. Sloan

Alfred P. Sloan

Alfred Pritchard Sloan, Jr. was an American business executive in the automotive industry. He was a long-time president, chairman, and CEO of General Motors Corporation...

's United Motors Company

United Motors Company

ACDelco is an American automotive parts company. Over its long history it has been known by various names such as United Motors Corporation, United Motors Service, United Delco, merged with AC Spark Plug and known as AC-Delco....

 in 1917. United Motors was acquired one year later by its largest customer - General Motors

General Motors

General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...

. Harrison continued as President of the company until his death in London in 1927. The company became Delphi Thermal Systems in 1999, but was repurchased by General Motors as part of its components holding company in October 2009. Today it makes radiators and air conditioners.

On November 17, 1900, Harrison married Florence Maria Kemp in London, England and they had three sons: Arthur Brydges Branfill Harrison, Charles Aylett Harrison and John H Harrison. Following his death, Mrs. Harrison remained in Lockport and married the Rev. Henry (Harry) Zwicker, rector of Grace Church, Lockport, NY.