Edward "Eddie" Carlson (June 4, 1911 – April 3, 1990), was an American businessman and Seattle, Washington civic leader.Carlson was born in Tacoma, Washington and, as a youth, helped his single mother make ends meet by working as an attendant at a gas station, as well as other odd jobs. Carlson entered the University of Washington in 1928 and, while a student, began his hotel career as a pageboy, then elevator operator, then bellhop.He dropped out of college in 1930 for financial reasons.