DOCSLIB.ORG

Mccormick Brothers Company Records MSS.218

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mccormick Brothers Company Records MSS.218 McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit May 05, 2017 Describing Archives: A Content Standard Ball State University Archives and Special Collections Alexander M. Bracken Library 2000 W. University Avenue Muncie, Indiana, 47306 765-285-5078 [email protected] McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 Table of Contents Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3 Historical Note...............................................................................................................................................4 Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 5 Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................5 Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................6 Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................7 Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 9 Series 1: McCormick Brothers Company administrative records, 1884-1961........................................9 Series 2: McCormick Brothers Company correspondence, 1941-1951................................................ 40 Series 3: McCormick Brothers Company historical records, 1829-1990............................................. 76 Series 4: McCormick family genealogical research papers, 1819-1990...............................................79 Series 5: McCormick Brothers Company photographs, 1940-1973..................................................... 83 Series 6: McCormick Brothers Company slides, undated.................................................................... 86 Series 7: McCormick Brothers Company ledgers and record books, 1900-1974................................. 86 Series 8: McCormick Brothers Company oversized materials, 1908-1956.......................................... 86 Series 9: McCormick family photographs and negatives, 1885-1965.................................................. 87 - Page 2 - McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 Summary Information Repository Ball State University Archives and Special Collections Creator McCormick Brothers Company. (Albany, Ind.) Title McCormick Brothers Company records Date 1819-1990 Extent 9.5 Cubic feet 15 boxes Language English Preferred Citation McCormick Brothers Company records, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries - Page 3 - McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 Historical Note On May 20, 1907, Walter, Arch, and C. Roy McCormick founded the McCormick Brothers Company in Albany, Indiana. The company evolved from a string of family businesses, including a washboard factory and a hardware store. At the time of its founding, the McCormick Bros. Co. functioned primarily as a hardware store. Around 1908 a new concept in kitchen design was becoming popular across the United States: the freestanding cabinet. the McComick Bros. Co. began to produce metal accessories for these cabinets such as flour bins and sifters, metal racks for utensils and spices, breadboxes, and drawers. As the market for such items grew, the McCormick's decided to devote all of their resources to manufacturing kitchen accessories, and the company moved to a new facility in the old Albany bank building. After Walter McCormick left the business in 1909, another McCormick brother, Ora, joined the company and reorganization was needed. Subsequently, C.Roy was elected president, Ora vice-president, and Arch secretary-treasurer. As the McCormick Bros. Co. grew, the town of Albany grew around it. Located in the center of residential Albany, the plant was the focal point of its neighborhood, and most of the employees lived in the surrounding community. During the Great Depression the company expanded to produce other kitchen accessories, such as the hand-held sifter and wire shelving for refrigerators. When the United States became involved in World War II, the McCormick Bros. Co. contribued to the war effort. Beginning in 1942, 90 percent of the company's resources were dedicated to the production of materials for the Army and Navy. The electro-tin plating department was expanded and used to plate parts for shells, rockets, and bombs. Other areas of the plant were used to manufacture booster caps for shells, racks designed to handle fuse parts, and other military supplies. In 1945, the company received the Army- Navy "E" Award, the award for excellence in production in support of the country's defense. In 1948, a problem arose for the McCormick Bros. Co. when a leak in the old plating waste tank was discovered to be contaminating the White River nearby. As a result, thousands of fish were killed. The old tank was quickly replaced with a new, spill-proof tank, and the McCormick's provided assistance replenishing the river's fish population. As times changed, so, too, did the McCormick Bros. Co. products. Due to a decline in baking, the demand for flour bins and breadboxes all but disappeared, and the company's focus began to shift to the production of refrigerator shelves and hand-held sifters. In the 1950's, a new market opened up with the widespread popularity of the television, and the company introduced folding TV tables. During the Korean War, the plating department was used again to support the military effort. In 1953, the McCormick Bros. Co. applied for corporate status and became the McCormick Brothers Corporation. Toward the end of the 1950's, and into the 1960's and 1970's, the company contracted with the U.S. Steel Corporation to manufacture paving joints to be used in the contruction of the nation's interstate system. These joints allowed for the expansion and contraction of pavement on the roadways caused by weather conditions, and prevented the concrete from cracking. Despite efforts to diversify production, a lack of modernization in the company led to strikes in 1969 and 1971. After a number of attempts to stay afloat, in 1977 the board decided to sell all assets and close the - Page 4 - McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 company. The last board meeting was held on July 3, 1978, and the McCormick Brothers Corporation was officially closed. (Source: Griner, Ned H. Bread Boxes, Bins, and Sifters: The McCormick's of Albany Indiana. Muncie: Minnetrista Cultural Center Foundation, 1999.) Scope and Contents This collection includes correspondence, business records, family genealogical papers, product blueprints and drawings, trade publications, and other materials from the McCormick Brothers Company in Albany, Indiana ranging from 1819 to 1990 regarding company history and business transactions, and McCormick family history, photographs and negatives. These records and graphic materials were used for Griner's book The McCormicks of Albany. Arrangement Series 1: McCormick Brothers Company administrative records, 1884-1961 Subseries 1.1: Financial records and other materials, 1910-1952 Subseries 1.2: Government relations records, 1941-1949 Subseries 1.3: Legal size business records and McCormick family papers, 1885-1948 Subseries 1.4: Patents records, 1884-1954 Subseries 1.5: Plant operations records, 1931-1950 Subseries 1.6: Plating records, 1937-1950 Subseries 1.7: Price revision lists, 1950 Subseries 1.8: Product blueprints and drawings, 1945-1950 Subseries 1.9: Product records, 1943-1961 Subseries 1.10: Trade publications, 1943-1950 - Page 5 - McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 Subseries 1.11: Wage dispute records, 1944-1947 Series 2: McCormick Brothers Company correspondence, 1941-1951 Subseries 2.1: Consultant correspondence, reports, and blueprints, 1944-1949 Subseries 2.2: Customer correspondence, 1942-1951 Subseries 2.3: Equipment suppliers correspondence, 1941-1951 Subseries 2.4: General correspondence, 1945-1950 Series 3: McCormick Brothers Company historical records, 1829-1990 Series 4: McCormick family genealogical research papers, 1819-1990 Series 5: McCormick Brothers Company photographs, 1940-1973 Series 6: McCormick Brothers Company slides, undated Series 7: McCormick Brothers Company ledgers and record books, 1900-1974 Series 8: McCormick Brothers Company oversized materials, 1908-1956 Series 9: McCormick family photographs and negatives, 1885-1965 Subseries 9.1: McCormick family photographs, 1890-1965 Subseries 9.2: McCormick family negatives, 1885-1947 Administrative Information Publication Information Ball State University Archives and Special Collections Conditions Governing Access This collection is open for research. - Page 6 - McCormick Brothers Company records MSS.218 Conditions Governing Use Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Archives and Special Collections. Custodial History This collection was received in several additions by Archives and Special Collections as a donation from Ned Griner on and before 2005/07/22. Additional oversized photograph received as a donation from Ned Griner
Load more

Recommended publications
  • C:\Documents and Settings\Owner
    A Multi-Media Guide to Shopping, Dining, Lodging, Recreation, Entertainment, Art & Historic Points of Interest for The American Heritage Tourist EVENTS... 4 INDEX OF CITIES... 6-7 ON THE ROAD... 27 Establish Your Community as a GREAT AMERICAN DESTINATION FALL / WINTER 2017-2018 (for less than a dime a day per lister) www.AmericanAntiquities.com See inside front cover 2 / AMERICAN JOURNAL Volume 25, FALL/WINTER 2017-18 AMERICAN ANTIQUITIES JOURNAL Volume 25, FALL/WINTER 2017-18/ 3 Enjoy your next road trip to one of our 500+ client cities. Let this be your guide for AboutAbout thethe CoCovverer shopping, dining, lodging, recreation, entertainment & historic points of interest for the AMERICAN HERITAGE TOURIST www.AmericanAntiquities.com Depression glass is clear or a specified number of colored translucent magazine subscriptions, thus glassware. It was produced in making its way into almost a multitude of colors, ranging every American home. from the deep colors of purple, Depression glass started one black, cobalt, and red to the of the largest collecting trends pastels of pink, yellow, green, ever, from collectors to amber, and blue which nostalgia hunters. Over created to bring a bright note 100,000 eager collectors now into the otherwise drab times seek this prized glass, of the depression. Most of this whether to complete a glassware was made in the handed-down family set of Ohio River Valley of the United dishes, or to find the highly States, where access to raw sought and elusive rare materials and power made pieces. manufacturing inexpensive. Depression glass is More than twenty becoming more scarce on the manufacturers made more open market.
    [Show full text]
  • The Depression Era Pdf, Epub, Ebook
    CENTRAL GLASS WORKS: THE DEPRESSION ERA PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Tim Schmidt | 192 pages | 01 Jun 2004 | Schiffer Publishing Ltd | 9780764320163 | English | Atglen, United States Central Glass Works: The Depression Era PDF Book Comic Books. To find a value for your vintage glassware, shop around. Nonetheless, stock prices continued to rise, and by the fall of that year had reached stratospheric levels that could not be justified by expected future earnings. Answer: When we think of Depression Glass, we usually think of the popular dishware manufactured during that period. Lorraine — Also known as pattern No. Model Trains. The early history of the companies and operations which became the Indiana Glass Company are confusing, convoluted and not terribly well documented! And those relief programs for which blacks were eligible on paper were rife with discrimination in practice, since all relief programs were administered locally. Feel the heft of it. Princess is often found in pink and green, followed by yellow and occasionally in light blue. Jobs available to women paid less, but were more stable during the banking crisis: nursing, teaching and domestic work. Many cookie jars were made in colors not originally associated with Mayfair, but the pink and light blue versions can be troublesome for new collectors. It went over to mass production in the s. Consignment shops also must collect a percentage of the sold price. Pyramid — also known as pattern No. For instance, English Hobnail and Miss America can look very similar with just a cursory inspection. Most often found in pink and monax. Lincoln's Depression. Cookie jars and shot glasses have been reproduced in the Mayfair pattern.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report 1955 National Bureau of Standards
    Annual Report 1955 National Bureau of Standards U. S. Department of Commerce UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Sinclair Weeks, Secretary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS A. V. Astin, Director Annual Report 1955 National Bureau of Standards Miscellaneous Publication 217 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price 55 cents Contents Page General Review 1 1.1. Introduction 1 1.2. Technical Activities 2 1.3. Administrative Activities 9 1.4. Publications 11 Research and Development Program 12 2.1. Electricity and Electronics 12 Fundamental electrical units 13, Electrochemistry 14, Improve- ments in measuring techniques 14, Resistor noise 15, Electron tubes 15, Research on electric spark discharge 16, Pole-top failure 16, Design of mutual inductance transducers 16, Marine weather station 16, Special electronic devices 17, Preferred circuits 17, Mechanized production of electronics 18. 2.2. Optics and Metrology 19 Intercomparison of standards 20, Determination of color dif- ferences 20, Glass color standards 21, Spectacle lenses 22, Aviation lighting 23, Refractometry of synthetic crystals 24. 2.3. Heat and Power 24 Temperature standards 25, Low-temperature research 26, Properties of air and related substances 28, Thermodynamic properties of metals and salts 29, Mechanical degradation of polymers 29, Combustion in engines 30. 2.4. Atomic and Radiation Physics 31 Velocity of light redetermined 31, Radiation balance 32, X-ray calorimeter 32, Electron beam extractor 33, New radiochem- istry laboratory 33, Attenuation of gamma rays at oblique incidence 34, Zone melting apparatus 35, International inter- comparison of radiation standards 36, Negative ion research 36. 2.5.
    [Show full text]
  • Park Board President to Resign
    COMMUNITY CORNER WILDCAT SPORTS $1.00 Fixup a flavorful Baseball team Vol. 43, Issue 16 2 sections • 22 pages spring table looks to breakskid Not over 75% advertising www.freepressadvocate.com WILMINGTON, IL | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 2017 | A FREE PRESS NEWSPAPER D’Orazio to 209-U deficit spends, but positioned well enue stream. Heidemann wrote in his state average, declining state Board hears Larry Heidemann report to the board. Those support over the last decade serve as WBSA updated the district’s finan- windfalls gave the district a has led to deficit spending prospects for, cial plan to reflect current fund balance in excess of $22 that has become worrisome, revenue and expense trends, million in the 2013-2014 Heidemann wrote. threats to its look at new threats, and con- school year. In just three Heidemann used 10 grand marshal sidered every variable that years, deficit spending has years of actual financial data financial future can affect the district’s finan- the fund balance down to and the current budget to BY BRENT SUMNER cial outlook. about $18 million. find revenue and expense STAFF WRITER BY PAM MONSON The long-awaited state Nearly 70 percent of the patterns, and used those EDITOR capital improvement grant district’s operating funds trends to forecast the finan- Bernie D’Orazio of of $9 million, and a federal come from property taxes, cial health of the district over D’Orazio Ford may not School District 209-U’s impact makeup package of about 15 percent from feder- a 10-year horizon. have always been a part of financial planner says it’s not $5 million replenished oper- al sources and about 16 per- “There are three kinds of the Wilmington communi- time to panic, but the Board ating funds that had been cent is state education dol- districts that I deal with; ty, but even during his of Education does need to do temporarily used to fund lars (down from 35 percent those that make things hap- youth, he garnered a a better job of controlling its construction, which swelled to 40 percent a decade ago).
    [Show full text]
  • Fire Insurance Maps
    Fire Insurance Maps: Introduction and Glimpses into America's Glass Manufacturing History ...manufacturers producing or working with glass are often among the more highly... by Kristi L. Palmer Carolina]" by Edmund Petrie but "There is general agreement that George T. Hope, Secretary of the Jefferson Insurance Co. of Introduction New York was the grandfather of American insurance cartogra­ phy when he began in 1850 to compile a large scale map ofNew American cities with buildings constructed primarily of wood York City as an aid in calculating fire risk on specific proper­ 1 1 and other flammable material ofthe 18 h-19 h century carried with ties."2 The most prominent and prolific manufacturer of these them great risk of fire damage and spread. The companies ex­ maps in the United States was the Sanborn Map Company tending insurance to the businesses and dwellings within these formed in 1875. Such maps were widely used by insurance com­ cities needed a better way to determine risk from fire and there­ panies covering property in the U.S. from 1850 until the 1970's fore value of the insurance offerings. The fire insurance map was when insurance cartography was replaced by new less expensive a response to this need. Highly detailed maps each include sym­ methods for assessing value and risk. bols, labels, and colors which describe all bits of information related to fire risk about a structure and its neighboring struc­ One can imagine why the process of creating finely detailed maps tures. Risk was determined not just by the structure being insured was considerably expensive.
    [Show full text]
  • ECTC 2017 Final Program
    WELCOME FROM THE MAYOR OF ORANGE COUNTY 2 WELCOME FROM 67th ECTC GENERAL AND PROGRAM CHAIRS On behalf of the Program Committee and Executive Committee, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the IEEE 67th Electronic Components and Technology Conference (ECTC), held at the beautiful Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, from May 30 to June 2, 2017. All ECTC meetings and events will be taking place in the Dolphin building of the resort. This premier international conference of the global microelectronic packaging industry is sponsored by the IEEE Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology (CPMT) Society. The ECTC Program Committee has selected 335 papers that will be presented in 36 oral sessions and five interactive presentation sessions, including one interactive presentation session exclusively featuring papers by student authors. The oral sessions will feature selected papers on key topics such as flip chip packaging, 3D/TSV technologies, wafer level packaging, design for RF performance and signal/power integrity, thermal and mechanical modeling, optoelectronics packaging, and materials and reliability. Interactive presentation sessions will showcase papers in a format that encourages more in-depth discussion and interaction with authors about their work. Authors from 22 countries are expected to present their work at the 67th ECTC, covering ongoing technological challenges with established disciplines or emerging topics of interest for our industry, such as additive manufacturing, heterogeneous
    [Show full text]
  • National Bureau of Standards
    Biennial Repor 1953 and 1954 National Bureau of Standards U. S. Department of Commerce UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Sinclair Weeks, Secretary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS f A. V. Astin, Director Biennial Report 1953 and 1954 National Bureau of Standards Miscellaneous Publication 213 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price 60 cents Preface Because the customary annual report of the National Bureau of Standards was not issued for fiscal year 1953, this report covers the 2-year period from July 1, 1952, to June 30, 1954. At the scheduled time for the preparation and release of the 1953 report the Bureau was undergoing a comprehensive survey by an Ad Hoc Committee appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to "evaluate the present functions and operation of the NBS in relation to present national needs." A number of important changes affecting the over-all Bureau program were made as a result of this survey. It was considered more appropriate to delay the report for a year in order to include the complete recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee rather than to report on them partially. The present report consists of five sections: (1) A general review or summary, (2) a resume of the Bureau's research and development achievements, (3) a review of the testing and calibration program, (4) a discussion of the Bureau's various cooperative activities, and (5) appendix material consisting primarily of statistical and organizational material. During the early part of fiscal year 1954, important weapons programs which the Bureau had been conducting for the Department of Defense were transferred to that agency.
    [Show full text]
  • NOVEMBER 2016 PORTLAND’SNOVEMBER 2016Rain PORTLAND’SOF GLASS,Rain INC
    NOVEMBER 2016 PORTLAND’SNOVEMBER 2016Rain PORTLAND’SOF GLASS,Rain INC. A non-profit organization formed toNOVEMBER stimulate interest2016 in collectible glass and to provide educational resourcesOF and events GLASS, for the members and INC. the community at large. A non-profit organization formed to stimulate interest in collectible glass and to provide educational resourcesPORTLAND’S and events for the members and theRain community at large. UPCOMING EVENTS OFUPCOMING GLASS, EVENTS INC. NOVEMBERA non-profit organization formedNOVEMBER to stimulate interest in collectible glass and to provide educational resources and events for the members and the community at large. NOVEMBER NOVEMBER WHERE: Central Lutheran Church 6 – Picc-A-Dilly Flea Market, Lane WHERE: Central1820 Lutheran NE 21 Churchst Avenue,6 –UPCOMING Picc-A-DillyCo. Fairgrounds, Flea EVENTS Market, Eugene Lane 1820 NE 21st Avenue, Co. Fairgrounds, Eugene NOVEMBERPortland, OR 97212NOVEMBER Portland,st OR 97212 6 – Polk Flea Market, Rickreall (NE(NE 21st 21& Schuyler)& Schuyler)6 – Polk Flea Market, Rickreall WHERE: Central Lutheran Church 6 – Picc-A-Dilly Flea Market, Lane st WHEN:WHEN: Tuesday, Tuesday,1820 November November NE 21 15,Avenue, 2016,15, 2016,Co.13 – Fairgrounds, Rose13 – City Rose Collectors Eugene City Collectors Market, Market, 7:00Portland,7:00 p.m. p.m. to OR 9:00 to 97212 9:00 p.m. p.m.AirportAirport Holiday Holiday Inn’s Columbia Inn’s Columbia (NE 21st & Schuyler) 6Conference – PolkConference Flea Center Market, Center Rickreall GREETERS:GREETERS: Eugene Eugene and and Florisa Florisa Trapp Trapp WHEN:(Come Tuesday, early to November set up—6:00 15, 2016, p.m.) 1319 – – Rose Salem19 – City Salem Collectors Collectors Collectors Market Market, Market (Come early7:00 to p.m.
    [Show full text]
  • Current List of Donated Items for Auction As of April 1, 2016
    Current List of Donated Items for Auction as of April 1, 2016 Robin Hood Self‐Rising Flour Bag with Sierra piece free inside Blenko Glass Company: 1. Decanter with stop 15 ½” high Cambridge Glass Company: 1. Crystal Satin draped Lady flower from 8 ½” high 2. Caprice Alpine no 61 bowl with ruffed edge and 4 feet 12 ½” wide 3. Carman nude compote 8” high by 6 ½” wide from the 3011 Figural stem line 4. Carman Keyhole Ivy bowl No 1236 8 ¼” high 5. No 1238 12” high Crown Tuscan vase with decoration by Charlton 6. No 3035 Footed tumbers with Apple Blossom etch x 6, 7” high 7. No 340/142 3pc Oil & Vinegar with Tray 8. No 647 crown Tuscan 2 lite candlesticks with Charlton Rose decoration Duncan Miller Glass Company: 1. Swirl No 21 Cornucopia with a Charlton decoration 2. No 5202 Pitcher with ice lip and silver foot with first Love etch c. 1937 3. No 40 Early Colonial Spiral candlesticks 7 ½’ High Amber AKA Sprial Flute c. 1924‐1927 Fenton Glass Company: 1. Fenton vase in French Opalescent 12 ¾” high 2. No 950 Ming Console bowl and candlesticks 3. Vasa Murrhina No 6437 Basket in Green Adventurine 11” high 4. No 857 Topaz Stretch Fan vase 8 ½” high Fostoria Glass Company: 1. Seascape No 2685 blue rolled edge compote 9” wide 6” high c. 1954‐1958 2. No 310 Coin Finger lamp & shade (electric) c. 1961‐1973 3. No 2324 3” high black candlesticks with Cupid Brocade etch 4. 8 No 6016 Wilma Blank Meadow Rose etch 10 oz water goblets 5.
    [Show full text]
  • 2000 LDRD Annual Report
    Abstract This report summarizes progress from the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program during fiscal year 2000. In addition to a programmatic and financial overview, the report includes progress reports from 244 individual R&D projects in 13 categories. This work was supported by the United States Department of Energy under Contract DE-AC04-94-AL85000. Cover (Above) Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a The LDRD Program supports the DOE’s and the Laboratories’ Lockheed Martin Company, for the missions through Sandia’s four primary strategic objectives: United States Department of Energy. nuclear weapons, nonproliferation and materials control, energy and critical infrastructure, and emerging national security threats. SAND 2001-1126 To meet these objectives, LDRD promotes creative and innovative March, 2001 research and development that Labs Director Ambassador C. Paul Robinson describes as “… the lifeblood of the Laboratories.” Over 90% of all Sandia National Laboratories’ LDRD projects provide both direct and indirect benefit to the national security and weapons missions of the Laboratories and the DOE. LDRD Annual Report Staff: W t The Science and Technology (S&T) Research Foundations Chuck Meyers category prioritizes investigations to ensure overall relevance to Cynthia Harvey the Labs’ nuclear weapons mission while building upon anticipated Donna Chavez future directions of the Laboratories. LDRD is a key component Bryon Cloer of the weapons research effort that enables Sandia’s continuing ability to meet its commitments in surety, microsystems, manufacturing, radiation physics, and neutron generators research and development. TECHnically Carol Whiddon WRITE Joy Bemesderfer Donna Drayer In addition, LDRD’s research investigations also promote t W Douglas Prout innovation aligned with the nonweapons missions of the Laboratories.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Several Major Producers of Depression Glass
    VOLUME 38, NUMBER 5 PAGE 11 History of Several Major Producers of Depression Glass - Part One by Barbara E. Mauzy Men blowing glass ~ this is how bot- tles and similar items were created before the use of machines. By the end of the Great Depression more than half of the American glass factories had closed, but those engaged in the production of this cheaply manufactured dinnerware and accessories were able to survive, and here are some of the most important and successful enterprises. Federal Glass Federal Glass Company began manufacturing glassware in Columbus, OH in 1900. The rea- son the owners of the company selected Columbus was because there were good supplies of the items needed to create glass: sand for glass making and natural gas to run the furnaces. Railroad lines and rivers were nearby, which would make it easy to ship out the completed products. Before the 1920s much of the glassware was made by hand. Automatic machinery was brought into the factory during the 1920s and new colors were introduced: blue, pink, and amethyst. Federal was one of the largest, most successful producers of tumblers and jugs. During WWII (1941-1945) Federal Glass Company produced items for use in hospitals and res- taurants. In the 1950s Americans turned away from using glass dinnerware and attempting to say cur- rent, the company changed its name to Federal Paper Board Company in 1958. In the 1960s and 1970s Federal struggled to get Americans to buy their glass dinnerware. They even reproduced some of the once-popular Depression Glass patterns and offered commemo- rative glassware.
    [Show full text]
  • CARNIVAL GLASS During the Early 1900'S, Glass Companies Such As
    CARNIVAL GLASS During the early 1900’s, glass companies such as Tiffany and Stueben were producing iridescent glassware. Due to the high price of these pieces, they were often out of reach of the average household. Then, in late 1907, the Fenton Art Glass Company invented a process to produce iridescent wares inexpensively. This iridescent glass became a huge hit with the consumer of the day who used the decorative pieces to enlighten their dark Victorian décor. Soon other manufacturers began to produce similar iridescent wares under such names as Radiumware and Venetian Art Glass. Sold at Woolworths and “five and dimes”, this new glassware reached its zenith during the teens although production continued through to 1930. Many shapes and patterns were made. Shapes included vases, water sets, punch sets, table sets, all sizes of plates and bowls, compotes and nappies. Manufacturers designed new patterns and invested in expensive moulds. Patterns were often naturalistic and included peacocks and other birds, lions, panthers, elk, dragons, grapes, berries and all types of floral designs. Geometric designs were also made and included hob stars, flutes, diamonds and sunbursts. The process invented by Fenton started with molten glass gathered on a rod and dropped into a cast iron mould bottom. When enough glass was in the mould, the glass maker took a pair of shears and cut the glass allowing just the right amount of glass to fall into the mould. Where the cool shears touch the molten glass, the glass hardened resulting in “Shear marks” in the finished piece. The mould top was placed over the mould bottom and the two parts were pressed together distributing the glass throughout the mould.
    [Show full text]