One of the more interesting stories ever told regarding the origins of one particular tomato cultvar, the Mortgage Lifter, may serve as an inspiration to anyone having trouble paying off a loan. The story goes that back in the 1940's an enterprising fellow named M. C. Byles a.k.a. "Radiator Charlie" was struggling with a failing radiator repair business when he perfected a cross-breeding method of growing tomatoes. The result was a tastier and larger fruit which reportedly sold for one dollar per plant; rather expensive in those days. Fortunately for Mr. Byles, his idea picked up steam (no pun intended) and he subsequently was able to pay off his mortgage in just four years from sales generated following the innovation.One of the more interesting stories ever told regarding the origins of one particular tomato cultvar, the Mortgage Lifter, may serve as an inspiration to anyone having trouble paying off a loan. The story goes that back in the 1940's an enterprising fellow named M. C. Byles a.k.a. "Radiator Charlie" was struggling with a failing radiator repair business when he perfected a cross-breeding method of growing tomatoes. The result was a tastier and larger fruit which reportedly sold for one dollar per plant; rather expensive in those days. Fortunately for Mr. Byles, his idea picked up steam (no pun intended) and he subsequently was able to pay off his mortgage in just four years from sales generated following the innovation.