anybody involved with muscle cars since 50s knows of Isky Camshafts.
Edward "Isky" Iskenderian (July 10, 1921 – February 4, 2026) passed away at 104 today.
"To promote his business early on, Iskenderian took a chance on a new publication, buying an advertisement in the second issue of
Hot Rod!; it paid off with new business. He was first to promote his business with
T-shirts and uniforms. Iskenderian was also the first to offer a hard facing on camshafts, and the first to apply computers to cam design. He worked with
Don Garlits, creating the first corporate sponsorship deal in drag racing: In the 1950s, Iskenderian was the first to offer contingency awards to racers"
"Iskenderian got together with
Vic Edelbrock Jr.,
Roy Richter, Bob Hedman, Robert E. Wyman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand Jr,
Dean Moon, Al Segal, and Willie Garner in 1963, forming the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association, now known as
SEMA, serving as its first president during 1963–1964"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Iskenderian