Inventor and orthodontist

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October 31, 2009

Richard Copeland - HISTORY BUFF Pharos-Tribune Sat Oct 31, 2009, 11:03 PM EDT

Many young men from Cass County have made a success for themselves, but Dr. Harold Kesling made life better for thousands of young people throughout the world. His inventions brought a much brighter and happier smile to all of those young people who had crooked teeth and a horrible overbite. Not only that, but his philanthropic contributions in the city of La Porte made the lives of many children and adults a lot happier and healthier.

Harold Deane Kesling was born on a farm in Tipton Township to Granville and Mary J. Loser in 1901. He was one of eight children. He grew up in a house across the road from his grandparent’s home. The whole family was raised in an atmosphere of intellectual activity. Granville was interested in how everything worked and had his own shop where he worked on inventing things. Granville had several patents on his inventions. All of this encouraged the boys of the family to think deeply and to develop a great work ethic.

After graduating from the local schools, Harold went to the Chicago College of Dental Surgery and received his doctor of dental surgery in 1924. After graduation, he opened an office in La Porte and began the practice of dentistry. His practice grew rapidly, and his mind was always thinking on how to improve his techniques and how to improve the whole field of dentistry.

On Oct. 14, 1925, Dr. Kesling married Jean A. Crawford. Three sons were born to the couple: David, Peter and Timothy. Two of the boys became dentists like their father, and they, too, had inquiring minds.

Dr. Kesling didn’t quit studying and learning as he received a medical decision support degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1933. He was appointed as professor at Adelaide, South Australia, and Nikon University in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Kesling has written many articles for medical and dental journals.

In 1945, Dr. Kesling invented the method of placing braces between the teeth to straighten them. Later, his company built a clinic near the Toll Road with an airport for his patients and other doctors. The clinic has continued to improve the methodology of straightening teeth and has developed a clear plastic divider and mover called INVISALIGN. This process uses 3-D computer-imaging technology. They have also developed a method of whitening teeth.

Dr. and Mrs. Kesling were among La Porte’s most generous benefactors. They donated the land for Kesling Middle School, Kesling Park next to the middle school, property next to the public library, the mental health association and the historical society.

One of Dr. Kesling’s most beloved inventions was an egg-shaped car powered by electricity. It could travel short distances at 50 miles per hour and 50 miles between battery charges. The car was call “Yare.” There were 12 auto batteries. The car, which is 14 feet long and six feet wide, is in the La Porte Museum.

During his spare time, Dr. Kesling built seven homes.

Three nephews, Norman, Estell and Willis Kesling, and one niece, Mary Fisher, are still living in the area. Dr. Kesling died in 1979.

• Richard B. Copeland is a Cass County historian and may be reached at ptnews@pharostribune.com. The material for this article came from the Cass County Historical Society archives and the Internet.

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