From Mary Bellis,
Your Guide to Inventors.
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In 1927, the first patent for a snowmobile was issued to Carl J. Eliason of Sayner, Wisconsin. The patent listed Eliason's invention as a snow machine.

Between the years of 1927 and 1962, thirteen patents were granted to inventors for snow vehicles considered the predecessors to the modern snowmobile.

Joseph-Armand Bombardier

In 1958, Joseph-Armand Bombardier designed the modern snowmobile. Bombardier is considered the father of snowmobiling who began commercial production and marketing of the Ski-Doo snowmobile in 1959.

Joseph-Armand Bombardier was the first person to successfully market snowmobiles. He was granted a Canadian patent in 1960 and a U.S. patent in 1962 for his endless track vehicle aka snowmobile.