Parker Hannifin a Winning Heritage

Edited by Heather LewinLayout by Elijah Meyer

iv

Completely produced in the United States of America10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Publishers Cataloging in Publication(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Rodengen, Jeffrey L.A winning heritage : Parker Hannifin Corporation /

Jeffrey L. Rodengen ; edited by Heather Lewin ; layout byElijah Meyer.

p. : ill. ; cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.ISBN: 978-1-932022-38-4

1. Parker Hannifin Corporation--History. 2. Automaticcontrol equipment industry--United States--History.3. Industrialists--United States--History. I. Lewin, Heather.II. Meyer, Elijah. III. Title. IV. Title: Parker HannifinCorporation

HD9696.A964 P37 2009381.45/6298/065

Also by Jeffrey L. RodengenWrite Stuff Enterprises, Inc.1001 South Andrews AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 333161-800-900-Book (1-800-900-2665)(954) 462-6657www.writestuffbooks.com

Copyright 2009 by Write Stuff Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. No

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The publisher has made every effort to identify and locate the source of the photographs included in this

edition of Parker Hannifin Corporation: A Winning Heritage. Grateful acknowledgment is made to those who

have kindly granted permission for the use of their materials in this edition. If there are instances where proper

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The Legend of Chris-CraftIRON FIST:

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Inter-TelThe First 30 YearsThe Legend of Pfizer

State of the Heart: The Practical Guideto Your Heart and Heart Surgery

with Larry W. Stephenson, M.D.The Legend of Worthington Industries

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with David A. PattenThe Legend of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers

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BiometFrom Warsaw to the Worldwith Richard F. Hubbard

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The Legend of The Titan Corporationwith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of Discount Tire Co.with Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of Polariswith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of La-Z-Boywith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of McCarthywith Richard F. HubbardIntervoice: Twenty Years of Innovationwith Richard F. HubbardJefferson-Pilot Financial:A Century of Excellencewith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of HCAThe Legend of Werner Enterpriseswith Richard F. HubbardThe History of J. F. Shea Co.with Richard F. HubbardTrue to Our Vision: HNI Corporationwith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of Albert Trostel & Sonswith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of Sovereign Bancorpwith Richard F. HubbardInnovation is the Best Medicine:The extraordinary story of Datascopewith Richard F. HubbardThe Legend of Guardian IndustriesThe Legend of Universal Forest ProductsChanging the World: PolytechnicUniversityThe First 150 YearsNothing is Impossible: The Legend of Joe Hardy and 84 LumberIn it for the Long Haul:The Story of CRSTThe Story of Parsons CorporationCerner: From Vision to ValueNew Horizons:The Story of Federated InvestorsOffice Depot: Taking Care of BusinessThe First 20 YearsThe Legend of General Parts:Proudly Serving a World in MotionBard: Power of the Past,Force of the FutureInnovation & Integrity:The Story of Hub GroupAmica: A Century of Service19072007A Passion for Service:The Story of ARAMARKThe Legend of Con-way:A History of Service, Reliability,Innovation, and GrowthCommanding the Waterways:The Story of Sea RayPast, Present & Futures:Chicago Mercantile ExchangeThe Legend of Leggett & PlattWinning the Arch Way:The Story of Arch Aluminum & GlassThe Road Well Traveled:The Story of Guy Bostick and Comcar IndustriesThe Legend of BrinksKiewit: An Uncommon Company

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

Chapter I Creating an Indisputable Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chapter II Gradual Growth, Uncertain Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Chapter III Supplying the U.S. for Freedom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Chapter IV Starting Over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Chapter V Defying the Odds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Chapter VI A Decade of Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Chapter VII Change Through Uncertainty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Chapter VIII Making Strides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Chapter IX Driving the Worlds Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Chapter X Globalization Through Opportunity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Chapter XI Winning for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Appendix Patrick S. Parker: A Tribute to an Entrepreneur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Notes to Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

vi

PARKER HANNIFIN, TODAY A MULTIBIL-lion dollar corporation with aglobal reach, finds its beginnings

in the vision of one maninventor andbusinessman Art Parker.

In 1918, Art, a 33-year-old engineer,began Parker Appliance Company inCleveland,Ohio, investing the $6,000 hehad saved while serving the United Statesduring World War I. The first productArt had for sale targeted the burgeoning automobile in-dustrya pneumatic braking system to harness com-pressed air to stop heavy vehicles effectively and safely.Ironically, on an ill-fated sales trip to Boston in 1919, thetruck carrying the companys inventory careened off ahilly Pennsylvania road, destroying every product thecompany had for sale.

Needing time to rebuild, Art began working andsaving money. By 1924,Art had saved enough to reopenhis companys doors and continue his passion for engi-neering and invention, and Parker Appliance Companywas in business again. By the early 1930s, after a num-ber of successful trade show exhibitions,Parker Appliancebroadened its customer base within the aviation andautomobile markets, boosting sales to $2 million by theend of 1934.

During World War II,Parker Appli-ance responded to Americas needs byserving the U.S. government exclu-sivelyit had no other customers. Justbefore the wars end, the company suf-fered an unexpected, major loss whenArt died shortly after shoveling snowwith his sons on January 1, 1945.Whenthe war came to a close, the companywas almost forced to close its doors, as

the government was no longer in need of its services.Arts widow, Helen, was advised to liquidate the com-

pany, but instead she cashed in his life insurance pol-icy and poured the money back into the business. Shealso sought new management, and Parker Applianceslowly began to recover and prosper. In 1957, it mergedwith Hannifin Manufacturing Corporation to becomeknown as Parker Hannifin.

During this time,Patrick S.Parker,Arts youngest son,was learning the business, earning his college degree,andsustaining his fathers legacy of inventing new productsand testing new engineering ideas. After many years asan employee in various capacities, Pat became pres-ident in 1969, a title he retained until 1977.

A succession of strong and insightful leaders fromAllen Bud Aiman (1977-1981), to Paul Schloemer

INTRODUCTION

vii

(1981-1993), to Duane Collins (1993-2000), to DonWashkewicz (2000-present),drove the company forwardthrough turbulent economic times, a shifting indus-trial market, and growing pains on the internationallevel as Parker Hannifin grew its wholesale operationsand branched out into distributorships.By this time, thecompetitive environment was very different from whenArt began his company in the tiny loft in Ohio.A changewas necessary to rejuvenate the companys success-ful, albeit steady, position.

In 2000, Don Washkewicz, whose Parker Hannifincareer had spanned 28 years at the time, became pres-ident and COO. Although Parker Hannifin contin-ued to prosper, Washkewicz felt that the company hadyet to tap its full potential. The new president begana whirlwind tour of more than 200 Parker Hannifinfacilities to understand intimately what was happeningat the ground level, and to seek any new ideas individ-ual facilities might have to improve performance for allof Parker Hannifins facilities. This yearlong study cul-minated in what would become the Win Strategyathree-pronged program to provide exemplary customer

service, improve financial performance, and sustainprofitable growth.

Washkewicz was then challenged with implement-ing the Win Strategy across all divisions and groups inthe United States,Canada,Europe,Asia Pacific,Australia,the United Kingdom, and Latin America. For a com-pany deeply rooted in its entrepreneurial and decen-tralized culture, it was a difficult but necessary transi-tion.After all employees were trained and on board, thenew strategys result was undeniable: by 2005,company-wide sales had climbed to $8.2 billion, an increase of17 percent over fiscal year 2004.

By 2009, Parker Hannifin had become a global inno-vator, its products touching many aspects of daily life,from helping to keep refrigerators cool, to advancesin renewable energy and life sciences, to creating energyrecovery braking systems on heavy-duty vehicles, to con-tributing to every major aerospace program in exis-tence today. It continues the heritage founder Art Parkerand his son Pat created by focusing on the future of engi-neering and positioning itself as the worldwide leaderin motion and control technologies.

MANY DEDICATED PEOPLE ASSISTED IN THE RE-search, preparation, and publication of ParkerHannifin: A Winning Heritage.

Several key individuals associated with ParkerHannifin provided their assistance in development ofthe book from its outline to its finished product, ledby Senior Communciations Specialist Erica Isabella.Theteam included: Duane Collins, Christopher Farage,AllenFord,Aidan Gormley,Dave Grager, Jim Jaye,Tom Meyer,Tim Pistell,Dan Serbin,Don Washkewicz,Jim Wood,andElaine Zettelmeyer.

All of the people interviewedParker Hannifinemployees, retirees, customers, distributors, analysts, andfriendswere generous with their time and insights.Those who shared their memories and thoughts include:Bill Armbruster, Ron Arthur, Jim Baker, Lee Banks, BobBarker, Barney Barnd, Dick Bertea, Bob Bond, MikeBoyles, Pete Buca, Maurice Castoriano, Gustavo Cudell,Dana Dennis,Raymond Doyle,Heinz Droxer,Bill Eaton,Bill Eline, Luis Antonio Frade, Lonnie Gallup, BryanGoodman, Randy Gross, Steve Hayes, Tom Healy, PamHuggins, Kjell Jansson, Rick Kanzleiter, MarwanKashkoush,Franz Kaspar,Syd Kershaw,Klaus Kohler, JoeKovach, Mark Kugelman, Robert Lawler, Dolores Lyon,Ricardo Machado, Al Maurer, Craig Maxwell, John

McGinty, Pat McMonagle, Jim Mockler, Jack Myslenski,Frank Nichols, Mike Noelke, John Oelslager, KenOhlemeyer, Streeter Parker, David Parks, Harry Payling,James Perkins, Tom Piraino, Tony Piscitello, Don Raker,Cliff Ransom, Carey Rhoten, Edward A. Roberts, DavidRudyk, Charly Saulnier, Ursula Sawyer, Paul Schloemer,Tom Sear, Patti Sfero, Roger Sherrard, Donald Smrekar,Denny Sullivan, Lex Taylor, John Treharn, John VanBuskirk, Nick Vande Steeg, Joe Vicic, Jeff Weber, BillWebster, John Wenzel, Tom Williams, Richard Wright,John Zakaria, Larry Zeno, and Don Zito.

Research Assistant Beth Kapes conducted theprincipal archival research for the book, while SeniorEditor Heather Lewin managed the editorial con-tent. Graphic Designer Elijah Meyer brought the storyto life.

Finally,special thanks are extended to the staff at WriteStuff Enterprises, Inc.: Elizabeth Fernandez, senior editor;Sandy Cruz, vice president/creative director; RoyAdelman, on-press supervisor; Abigail Hollister andMartin Schultz, proofreaders; Mary Aaron, transcription-ist; Elliot Linzer, indexer; Amy Major, executive assistantto Jeffrey L. Rodengen; Marianne Roberts, executive vicepresident, publisher, and chief financial officer; andStanislava Alexandrova, marketing manager.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ix

Art Parker (leaning against table) in Parker Appliance Companys first facilitya rented loft on Clevelands West Side, circa 1918.

C H A P T E R O N E

CREATING ANINDISPUTABLE FORCE

19181928

Art Parker started his business with $6,000 in savings.

IT WAS AN IDEA FROM ONE INDIVID-ual that, in time, would affect thelives of millions.In 1918, Arthur (Art) LaRue

Parker,a 33-year-old engineer,begana quest to develop a pneumatic brak-ing system to harness compressed airto stop heavy trucks and buses effec-tively and safely. With this in mind,and his intellectual ability and heart-felt enthusiasm as his guides, Artfounded Parker Appliance Companyin Cleveland, Ohio, in a tiny loft herented on the citys West Side.His concept of compressedair as a means for power was the start of a legacy ofmotion and control technology that now touches thelives of nearly everyone on earthand beyond.

The evolution of Parker Appliance Company intoParker Hannifin Corporation is not just a historicaccount of the transformation of technology, but also ofthe humanity that guided the companys founder andhis family.Although Parker Hannifin is now a worldwidemotion and control enterprise, the company has neverlost sight of its culture, which has always placed greatimportance on the interests and innovation of others.

Applying Ingenuity

Born November 16,1885,ArthurLaRue Parker was the youngest sonof William and Margaret Parker,bothoriginally from New York.1 TheParkers established their home inCleveland, which led Art to attendthe Case Institute of Technology.2 Asa student of the fourth college inthe United States to focus on techni-cal education,Art completed a bach-elor of science degree in electrical

engineering.During his senior year,Arts thesis,a hypoth-esis on the Experimental Study of the Performanceof Automobile Storage Batteries, became a precur-sor to the interests and ideas he developed later inhis career.3, 4 With his degree in hand,he began his careerin engineering.

Cheer up, were both in one piece, still in our 30s, smart, single, and goodengineers. The world really needs guys like us. Look on the bright side. We cameto Pittsburgh in a $1,500 truck, and were riding home on a million-dollar train!

Art Parker, founder of Parker Appliance Company, after an automobile accident destroyed the companys entire inventory

A painting depicting Art Parker, deep in thought at his desk,hangs in the lobby of Parker Hannifins corporate headquartersin Cleveland, Ohio.

P A R K E R H A N N I F I N C O R P O R A T I O N : A W I N N I N G H E R I T A G E

In 1907, Art began working as an experimental engi-neer for Willard Storage Battery in Clevelandhis jobfocused on the emerging automobile industry.5 Art beganstudying the new concept of mass production, andquickly noticed its significance to the expanding field oftechnology. It would allow for the production of largequantities of items at a lower cost. While at WillardStorage Battery, Art began looking beyond electricaltoward mechanical engineering. This offered the chal-lenge of hydraulic control, which uses fluids under pres-sure to control parts in machinery.6

The first evidence of Arts vision of the potentialthat hydraulic machinery held was described in his firstU.S. patent. Issued on September 28, 1909, patentnumber 935,051 was titled Device for Regulatingthe Speed of Generators to Secure Constant Potential.7

This demonstrated Arts intrigue with motion andthe ability to control it, as his declaration in the patentsdocument stated:

It frequently happens that a generator is driven bya prime mover, the speed in which will vary,

sometimes within narrow limits and againbetween wide limits I have shown anddescribed a particular form of differentialmechanism, as well as a particular form ofbrake. It will be apparent that theconstruction herein set forth provides anefficient means for operating a generatorat a constant potential, and accomplishesthis result whatever may be the range ofspeed of the prime mover.8

Aspirations Interrupted

Art began focusing on the developmentof his idea for a pneumatic brake boostersystem for use in trucks and buses.

In 1918, Art rented a tiny loft on theWest Side of Cleveland to set up his com-pany, the Parker Appliance Company. Theword appliance was not used to describehousehold devices but to stress the ingenu-ity of converting one form of energy intoanother type of energy. To assist in thedevelopment and marketing of his firstinvention, Art hired his friend Carl E.Klamm, a talented engineer from CaseInstitute of Technology.

Klamm aided Art with the creation andimplementation of a pneumatic brake sys-tem design. Patented on June 4, 1918, theControl System for Automobiles (patent

1212

A schematic drawing of an early truck thatincorporates Parker pneumatic controls.

C H A P T E R O N E : C R E A T I N G A N I N D I S P U T A B L E F O R C E 13

ITS A LITTLE KNOWN FACT THAT CLEVELAND WASan important hub for the earliest achievementsof aviation in the United States. It was home

to ingenious aviation pioneers and several aircraftcompanies in the early 1900s and had one of thelargest and busiest airports in the world in the 1920sand 1930s.1, 2 Cleveland Municipal Airport deployedthe first airfield lighting system and air traffic con-trol tower in the country.3, 4 As Detroit was becom-ing known as the Motor City because of HenryFords automobile, Cleveland was becoming theCradle of Aviation.

In the early 1900s, flight was an amazing featto most Americans. Resort owners hired aviatorsto perform aerial stunt shows. One of the ear-liest shows was held August 31, 1910, when GlennCurtiss, the first to receive a U.S. pilots license andinventor of airplane engine innovations, flew overLake Erie completing what was, at the time, thelongest over-water flight.5

In the fall of 1911,Al Engel crashed his airplane inan exhibition flight in one of Clevelands eastern sub-urbs.Although the crash destroyed the aircraft, Engelwalked away.He returned in 1912 with a new aircraftequipped with floats, allowing him to take off fromand land on water. Engels plane, the Bumble Bee, wasequipped with a Curtiss engine. He flew extensivelythroughout northeastern Ohio for exhibition andpassenger flights between 1912 and 1914.

Among the most notable aircraft companies inCleveland was the Glenn L. Martin Company, whichbegan manufacturing airplanes on September 10,1917.6 Martin was known for building the MB-1bomber, a biplane used by the U.S. Army in WorldWar I, and ultimately became a critical customer ofthe Parker Appliance Company.

With a growing aviation manufacturing indus-try, Cleveland hosted the legendary National AirRaces from 1929 through 1949.7 The nations pre-mier aviation event drew more than 100,000 to fill

Cleveland Municipal Airport grandstands to watchthe finest unlimited (referring to speed) air racersin the world.8 With interest in aviation soaringfrom Charles Lindberghs first transatlantic soloflight in 1927, planes from around the world raceda 10-mile rectangular course that combined highspeeds with tight turns.

Cleveland also became home to the NationalAdvisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) GlennResearch Center in the 1940s (NACA was the pre-decessor to NASA, the National Aeronautics andSpace Administration). The center housed suchinventions as the Altitude Wind Tunnel to performthe first wind tunnel tests on American jet engineprototypes and solve engine-cooling problems forthe B-29 bomber of World War II.9

Today, many historic relics of Clevelands aviationpast, including the Bumble Bee, can be seen at theCrawford Auto-Aviation Museum at the WesternReserve Historical Society in downtown Cleveland.

AN INDUSTRY TAKES FLIGHT

The Spirit of St. Louis instrument panel reveals ParkerAppliance fittings just below the dashboardfittings thatenabled Charles Lindberghs famous 3312-hour solo flight.


number 1,268,764), was the beginning of Arts discov-ery that compressed air was an indisputable force:

It is the general object of the invention toprovide a system of control which is particularlyadapted for use with and by fluid under pressure thereby to simplify the control of an automobileand to obtain a maximum speed, accuracy andefficiency in performing the various operations such as reversing.9

I wish to state, also, that I have found compressedair to be the most suitable medium for the shifting ofgears of any that have been used for that purpose, orexperimented within that connection. Its elasticity

makes it peculiarly adaptable to this purpose andmuch to be preferred to electricity for the shifting ofgears, or even the manually operated devices, whichare used almost entirely at the present time.10

After the excitement of receiving this landmarkpatent, Art was forced to refocus his energies toward anew challenge: World War I. While AustriaHungary,Bulgaria, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire were

14

Parker Appliance Companys early location in a loft on the WestSide of Cleveland, circa 1918.


battling the Allied Powers of the United Kingdom,France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro,Portugal, Romania, Greece, and Japan, the UnitedStates remained neutraluntil 1917, when a Germansubmarine sank the British passenger liner, Lusitania,killing 128 Americans.11

As the United States entered World War I, Artenlisted in September 1918 and served as a transporta-tion officer in France.12 While he was stationed there,he noticed that the supply trucks used on the WesternFront lacked the ability to brake effectively. He was surehe could correct this engineering shortfall.13

Germany surrendered November 11, 1918, after thefirst global conflict had claimed between 9 million and13 million lives.The war formally ended after the Treatyof Versailles was signed by Germany and the AlliedNations on June 28, 1919.14 Lucky to be alive, Art hadsaved $6,000 and had every intention of using themoney for his business.

Art continued working with motion controltechnologies and gained a third patent. This patent

provided an improved pressure-fluid system to cor-rect a weakness in the automobiles developed dur-ing this era:

The primary object of my present invention is theprovision, with a source of pressure fluid supply andpressure fluid system in communicative connectiontherewith, of means adapted to be operated at will fordelivering fluid from the source to the system at anydesirable pressure, and operative automatically toterminate such delivery when said desired pressure hasbeen attained. This is obviously an advantage for itarrests the movement of all driving parts between theclutch and driving wheels, just as soon as the drivingwheels are stopped thus relieving the transmission anddifferential gearing and shafts of undue strains.15

In 1919, Parker Appliances sole customer wasthe Glenn L. Martin Company, the worlds fore-most aircraft assembly plant, based in Cleveland.Started in 1917, Martins first big success was the

Art Parkers truck, filled with the companys entire inventory, isready for a 1919 promotional tour from Akron to Boston.

P A R K E R H A N N I F I N C O R P O R A T I O N : A W I N N I N G H E R I T A G E16

TECHNOLOGY AND INDUSTRIALIZATION HAVE

historically been driving forces in the UnitedStates. To acknowledge the need for granting

ownership of innovation, the countrys foundingfathers drafted into the U. S. Constitution the firstnational patent system.1 The Patent Act of 1790 waswritten in part by Thomas Jefferson.2

Created to promote the Progress of Science anduseful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authorsand Inventors the exclusive Right to their respectiveWritings and Discoveries, patent applications tookseveral months to be examined. Fifty-seven patentswere issued between 1790 and 1793.3 With a changeto the Patent Act in 1793, a Patent Board was createdto speed the process of issuing patents, and whilesome unproductive processes were eliminated by

the Board, others remained until the creation of theUnited States Patent Office (now known as the U. S.Patent and Trademark Office) in 1836.4,5

While initial patents were restricted and carefullyissued for inventions that solved practical problems,the mid-20th century allowed for granting patentsto everything made by man under the sun.6 It wasduring this time that a method of grouping similarpatents together was created. This patent classifica-tion system, along with hundreds of patent officesestablished in libraries, helped categorize the explo-sion of patents.

By the 1870s, the number of patent assignmentsaveraged more than 9,000 per year, and this increasedin the next decade to more than 12,000 transactionsrecorded annually.7 Although these patents could

THE U.S. PATENT PROCESS

MB-1 bomber, a large biplane design ordered by theU.S. Army January 17, 1918.16 This one customerhelped the Parker Appliance Company experiencemoderate success.17

To showcase the companys achievements and fur-ther market its pneumatic control design to prospec-tive clients interested in the automobile industry, Artplanned a promotional tour from Akron to Boston in1919. Art and Klamm equipped a truck with Parkersunique pneumatic booster brakes and loaded thetruck and trailer with the companys complete inven-tory.18 Little did Art know that this promotional tourwould be the beginning of the end of his newly cre-ated company.

Traveling by automobile was an adventuresomeundertaking in the early 1900s because of the poorroad conditions of the time. While Parker Appliancesbooster brakes were installed to aid their travel, thehills of Pennsylvania proved to be too much. Afterlosing a wheel, the truck crashed down a mountain-side, taking Parker Appliance Companys entire inven-tory with it. Thankfully, Art and Klamm walked awayfrom the wreckage, yet the mood turned grim when

the two realized that all of their companys capitalhad been eliminated.19

The ill-fated trip forced Art to claim bankruptcyand shut down Parker Appliance Company. Takingthe Pennsylvania railroad back to Cleveland, Artrefused to lose hope that his company would make acomeback. This positive attitude was apparent in aconversation Art had years later with his son, Patrick.He recalled his fathers words to Klamm:

Cheer up, were both in one piece, still in our 30s,smart, single, and good engineers. The world reallyneeds guys like us. Look on the bright side. We cameto Pittsburgh in a $1,500 truck, and were ridinghome on a million-dollar train!20

Stepping Back

Art took his optimistic outlook and applied for a jobas an engineer at Clevelands New York, Chicago, andSt. Louis Railroad, also known as Nickel Plate Road.21

By 1924, Art had saved enough money to restart hisParker Appliance Company. Art transitioned from


exploring applications for vehicle brakes to industrialprime movers, or main power sources.22

In October of that year, Art reopened ParkerAppliance Company in a building on Berea Road inCleveland.23 Focusing on pneumatic and hydraulic com-ponents for its automobile and industrial customers, therevived company began to reap success.Whether manip-ulating the use of oil or water for hydraulic technology,air or gas within pneumatic technology, or producinga variety of automotive and industrial fittings, ParkerAppliance was quickly gaining a solid reputation.

As Parker Appliance grew, Art saw a need foran improved method of transferring power. This ledto the creation of a revolutionary two-piece flaredtube coupling, which would become the foundationof Parker Appliances business. When filing the patentapplication for his invention in February 1925, Artwrote the following:

The objects of the invention are to provide animproved coupling of simple form and capable ofquantity production at low cost; to provide a verytight joint between the tube and coupling members,

which will withstand practically any pressure with-out leaking and which eliminates or greatly reducesthe undesirable effects of vibrational strains trans-mitted from tube to coupling. 24

This flared tube fitting, patented on March 1, 1927,became known as the standard Parker fitting.25 Madeof brass, the product was revolutionary in its abilityto fit couplings seamlessly with tubing. Among thefirst users of the standard Parker fitting were suchindustry leaders as the U.S. Air Compressor Company,Bailey Meter Company, Detroit Edison, and GoodyearTire and Rubber.26

The Rise of the Aviation Industry

Art began studying the industry with aircraft pio-neer Glenn L. Martin. Martin employed some of theinnovators of aircraft, including Robert Gross, whowould later take over the Lockheed Corporation in the1930s, and Donald W. Douglas, Sr., founder of DouglasAircraft in 1921 in Santa Monica, California.27, 28 Fromhis contemporaries and customers of Parker Appliance

be viewed as small monopolies on certain products,they facilitated the rise of corporations throughoutthe late 19th century and the resulting tremendouseconomic growth of the United States.8

Master of the Patent

Throughout his engineering career,Art Parker wasa master of patents.All told,he is credited with almost160 successful patents23 of which were awardedafter his death in 1945. His first patent was awardedon September 28, 1909, for a Device for Regulatingthe Speed of Generators to Secure Constant Potential.In the years that followed, he earned patents forcoupling devices, valve mechanisms, and fuel distrib-uting devices, among other technology.

After his death on January 1, 1945, he stillreceived patents for research that he began. Hiswork was supported by his wife Helen, who con-tinued her husbands love of technology by sub-mitting his patent applications to the U.S. Patent

Office. His last patent was awarded on February 10,1953it was filed May 15, 1945for a rotaryplug valve seat.

Modern Patent Procedures

Todays patent applications must comply witha number of requirements and limitations estab-lished in Title 35 of the U.S. Patent Code.9 Theseinclude that an invention must be novel, meaningthat its subject matter cannot be considered publicknowledge. Additional lengthy technical require-ments, including a specification (description ofthe invention), must be submitted and then exam-ined for validity.10

The length of time between filing a patent appli-cation and receiving a patent from the U.S. PatentOffice may range from 18 months to three years.11 Theexistence and development of the U.S. patent systemprovides the essential stimulus to promote techno-logic and economic advancement.


Company, Art realized the vast potential of the avia-tion industry.29

Soon after the creation of the flared tube fitting in1927, the U.S. Navy also adopted its use.30 Becausethe Navy had contracted with the Glenn L. MartinCompany to build some of its planes and ParkerAppliance was a supplier for Martin, Art was drawninto issues with aircraft fuel and hydraulic systems. Heformulated solutions for fuel, oil, and control lines thatled to the development of valves specially designed foruse with one of his first inventions, the flared tube fit-ting. The first valves to be manufactured by Parker forthe aircraft industry were plug valves, which becameindispensable for the prevention of fuel or oil leaks.Shortly after creation of these valves Art designed discand cylindrical valves for use in airplanes.31 As aircraftgrew in size, the industry needed more compact,lightweight controls and valves.32

Making History

Art and Parker Appliances reputation for produc-ing reliable, hydraulic connectors for the aviationindustry became so well known in the late 1920s thatCharles Lindbergh called on Art to develop his historicaircrafts fuel transfer system.33 While Lindbergh hadalready earned a reputable name among pilots, he waseager to be the first to fly solo nonstop from New Yorkto Paris. This challenge had been made in 1919 byNew York City hotelier Raymond Orteig, who offered$25,000 to the first person who accomplished the feat.Several who had tried were either killed or injuredwhile competing for the Orteig prize.34

Lindbergh was certain of his possible success if he hadthe right airplane and systems. After persuading nineSt. Louis businessmen to help finance the cost of theattempt, Lindbergh chose Ryan Aeronautical Companyof San Diego to manufacture a special plane he helpedto design.35 Lindbergh tested his plane, the Spirit of St.Louis,by flying from San Diego to New York City on May1011, 1927, with an overnight stay in St. Louis. Byaccomplishing the flight in 20 hours and 21 minutes,Lindbergh set a new transcontinental record.

His aircraft, however, was plagued by persistent fuelsystem leaks.After Lindbergh called on the expertise ofParker Appliance,Art developed a leak-free fuel systemfor Lindberghs aircraft, which enabled him to take off

May 20, 1927, from Roosevelt Field, near New YorkCity.36 After arriving at Le Bourget Field, near Paris, onMay 21, Lindbergh had completed the first transat-lantic solo flight and was transformed overnight froman unremarkable mail plane pilot into an Americanhero.He had flown more than 3,600 miles in 33.5 hoursan achievement that could not have been accom-plished without Parkers reliable, high-pressure con-nections and Arts ingenuity.37

Creating a Family

As Parker Appliance gained recognition as the pre-mier designer and manufacturer of precision hydraulicdevices in the aviation and automotive markets in thelate 1920s, Art married.

As the third employee and first female hired byParker Appliance, Helen M. Fitzgerald joined the com-pany as Arts secretary after she graduated from secre-tarial school. Women had just won the right to vote inthe United States, and this newfound liberationprompted many young women, like Fitzgerald, to seekindependence through employment.38 A daughter of alarge Irish family from Clevelands West Side, Fitzgeraldbegan a romance with Art, although this relationshipseemed unlikely because of the 20-year age difference.39

Art would surprise Fitzgerald by proposing after askingher into his office for dictation.40

In December 1927, 41-year-old Art and Fitzgeraldelopedthe two were married in Pittsburgh while ona business trip. Not only was the young bride surprisedby the turn of events, but Arts chief engineer, Klamm,may have been surprised as well. The excerpts fromArts letter to Klamm conveyed not only ParkerAppliances financial state, but also the fun Art and hisnew wife were having at delivering the message of mar-riage to their colleague:

If Glenn Martins check comes in and otherfundswire me fifty dollars at Wm. Penn HotelPittsburghotherwise do not bother. You willprobably be a little surprised, but I have takenpossession of Miss Fitzgerald for goodyou canarrange for another girl in the officewe will behome after the first of the year. You may tell Bigelowand, if advisable Brown, but for the time being itwill be better not to spread it any further.

18


Mrs. Parker is frightened and worried for fear thisshock may be fatal to you. I told her that you arequite familiar with the unexpected and that it wouldtake more than this news to shake you up.41

A short postscript from the new Mrs. Parker wasattached to Arts note:Mr. Klamm: Ill let you kiss thebride when we return.42

Within two years of marriage, Art and Helen had ason. Patrick S. Parker was born October 16, 1929, andwhile three additional children would complete theParker family, Patrick would play a pivotal role in thefuture of Parker Appliance.

Looking Toward the Future

The early years of Parker Appliance involved a con-stant struggle to keep the business viable while Artintroduced revolutionary product designs to theAmerican automobile and aviation industries. Oneexample was the patent he applied for on September12, 1929. To create useful improvements in couplings,Art invented the combined tube and pipe coupling.43

Art wrote in patent number 1,774,841:

An object of the invention is to provide a couplingwhich may be used for selective connection to eithera pipe with standard pipe threads thereon, or to atube having a flared end. A further object of theinvention is to provide a coupling of the above typewherein a pipe thread on the coupling may be usedin connection with a pipe thread on a coupling nutfor joining the flared end of a tube to the coupling.44

This patent further demonstrated Arts ability toinvent products that were flexible in their application.His understanding of how to create beneficial, prof-itable products for industrial use would aid ParkerAppliances growth and also help it survive what wouldbecome one of the darkest times in American eco-nomic history.

Art Parker and Helen Fitzgeralds wedding photo in 1927.

The lathe shop at Parker Appliance Companys building on Euclid Avenue, circa 1930s.

C H A P T E R T W O

GRADUAL GROWTH,UNCERTAIN TIMES

19291939

Sales reached $3 million by 1939.

THE ROARING TWENTIES HADfueled an economic and indus-trial boom within the United

States. Parker Appliance harnessed thismomentum through Arthur L.Parkersinventiveness. Propelled by an increas-ing number of patents for innovativetechnology, the company took advan-tage of opportunities in both the auto-mobile and aircraft industries.

Parker Appliance became increas-ingly important to the success of thesefledgling industries through Artsinventions, which included the two-piece standard Parker flared tube cou-pling and its ability to provide a very tight jointbetween the tube and coupling members, which willwithstand practically any pressure without leakage.1

Because of the growing demand for Parker fittings,Parker Appliance needed to employ the mass manu-facturing method that Henry Ford established in theautomobile industry.2 Although Art embraced massproduction methods, he would not allow any com-promise in workmanship or quality. This attention todetail attracted important customers such as General

Motors Aviation and the Ford Tri-Motor Aircraft Company.3

Parker Appliance was quickly be-coming a preferred employer in Cleve-land as Arts rapidly evolving designscontinued to attract new customers.

Our success is founded on fairdealing, hard work, coordination ofeffort, and quality of products, Artsaid. This philosophy would becomecore to the companys culture fordecades to come.

Battling Black Tuesday

The profitable business climate that Parker Appli-ance and other U.S. companies had experienced wasabout to collapse.4 On October 29, 1929, also known asBlack Tuesday,the stock market crashed,signifying thebeginning of the Great Depression.5 As banks failedand businesses closed, more than 15 million Ameri-

The Parker Appliance Tube Coupling Price List book from 1932.

Our success is founded on fair dealing, hard work, coordination of effort, andquality of products.

Art Parker, founder of Parker Appliance Company


cans became unemployed nearly overnight.6 Althoughother businesses faced decimating losses, ParkerAppliance managed to survive by a thin marginandArt credited the companys survival to the dedication ofhis employees.7

Although the financial situation was dire, ParkerAppliance continued to gain attention from the aircraftindustry. For an industry where weight was a crucialelement, Parker Appliances first aluminum alloy fit-tings, known as Dural fittings, were a welcome inno-vation. They weighed significantly less than the tradi-tional brass fittings.8 These led to the development of aline of lubricants for use with flared tube couplings,enabling threads to fit together smoothly.

Arts formulas for lubricants and hydraulic fluids werehandwritten in a small leather recipe book,which hiswife Helen then typed.9 Each recipe contained chef-liketips, including a formula for a lubricant called Sealube.The creation of these recipes led to another patent,

number 2,102,214, the Art of Preserving Seizure of Con-tacting Surfaces of Soft Alloy and Like Materials.10

To showcase Parker Appliances accomplishments,such as the first production of copper tubing forhydraulic installations, Art began exhibiting the com-panys products at national industry shows.11 After asuccessful showing of hydraulic fittings, tubing, andcomponents for aviation use at the International Expo-sition of 1930, and another exhibition at the 1932Power Show, Parker Appliance broadened its customerbase in both the aviation and automobile industries.Sales reached $2 million at the end of 1934.

Fostering Goodwill

In addition to developing and producing his newinventions, Art understood the importance of main-taining a company culture that met his employeesneeds as well as contributed to their well-being. Heexpressed these thoughts in the first issue of ParkerAppliances internal newsletter in 1934:

I have often contemplated ways and means forpromoting a closer fellowship and better under-standing of mutual events and problems among thisgroup of men who spend nearly a third of their timehere at the Plant. This paper may mean much tothe progress and prosperity of members of thisorganizationthrough its columns new talent andabilities may be discovered, new confidence may beinspired and your daily tasks may be less arduousthrough new inspirations and the promotion of newsports and social activities.

Conditions such as we havesuccessfully encountered and wadedthrough during the existence of thisbusiness, are an inspiration leteveryone look forward to greaterresponsibilities and actively enter intoour group activities and contributehis share to the success thereof.12

Art also provided extracurricu-lar activities for his employees, giv-ing them a chance to socialize outsidethe constraints of the work envi-ronment. The company sponsored a

22

Above: Parker Appliance was the first tointroduce copper tubing for hydraulicinstallations in the early 1930s, and thefirst to use tubing for instrumentation ofpower plants. This copper tube shipment,from the Euclid Avenue building, tookplace in the late 1930s.

Right: Art Parker was meticulous indocumenting his recipes for everythingfrom Sealube to Gaslube in a recipe book.

C H A P T E R T W O : G R A D U A L G R O W T H , U N C E R T A I N T I M E S 23

SURVIVING BLACK TUESDAY

HOW COULD A START-UP COMPANY OPERATINGout of a rented loft survive the worst eco-nomic collapse of the modern industrial

world? While the Parker Appliance Companys pneu-matic brake booster system was making strides inthe mid-1920s, it was the application of technologyfor industrial purposes, as well as other devices ParkerAppliance manufactured, that allowed for the com-panys survival.

With skeptics criticizing the use of aviation forcommercial use, Art always maintained his belief inthe future of flight. Congress passed the Kelly Act in1925, turning over operation of federal airmail routesto private parties through competitive bidding.1 Thisled to the birth of civil aviation. The newly createdCleveland-Hopkins International Airport gained thegreatest benefit through not only airmail routes, butalso airlines that began carrying passengers. Fourthousand aircraft cleared the field in 1925. In 1926the total reached 11,000, and a year later, volume hadgrown to 14,000.

On the heels of Charles Lindberghs historic flightfrom New York to Paris, Parker Appliance ran an ad-vertisement in the June 20, 1927, issue of Aviationmagazine that stated:

Captain Lindberghs fuel flowed safely throughParker tube couplings. We express our sincereappreciation and gratitude to Captain Lindberghfor his masterful performance.

In the period of commercial aviation justaheadwhen municipalities, corporations, andindividuals fully realize the reliability, utility, andeconomic advantages of present day aircraft incompetitive business activities;

When the demand for aircraft strains productionfacilities and automotive history is eclipsed;

Production and development of Parker tubecouplings, fittings and fuel line equipment will keeppace with the demand.2

Marketing its successful fuel line application forLindberghs plane, the Spirit of St. Louis, Parker Appli-ances reputation as the manufacturer of choice forthe aviation industry grew. By elevating its statuswith fast-growing Cleveland companies, such as theworlds foremost aircraft assembly plant, the GlennL. Martin Company, as well as aviation experts acrossthe country, the late 1920s brought financial securityfor Parker Appliance.3

Parker Appliance supplied parts for the FordTri-Motor metal monoplane,which was used to shut-tle passengers in a 100-minute flight to Detroit.4 In1929, it was $18 for a one-way ticket and $35 for around-trip ticket.5

As the Depression made its mark on the countrya quarter of the U.S. workforce was without jobs, andmany were homeless by 1933Parker Appliance hadenough orders from the aviation industry to survive1929 by a thin margin.The company even maintainedsteady paychecks for its employees.6 Using the sameassembly-line manufacturing techniques as the auto-mobile industry, Parker Appliance employees keptmanufacturing fittings, couplings, and washers to helpthe company survive during this difficult time.7

Parker Appliances aviation innovations gained recognitionafter Charles Lindberghs famous transatlantic flight.(Photo courtesy of AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS.)

bowling league that pit departments against one anotherin the spirit of healthy competition. He even held a din-ner for employees in his own home, according to theFebruary 1935 company newsletter.As the guests enteredArts home, women received corsages of gardenias, whilemen were given red carnations. The group played wordgames and billiards, and had fortunes told.Art also hireda magician for entertainment.13

Moving On

The workforce grew steadily despite the ongo-ing Depressionfrom 38 employees to 250andspace was dwindling in the rented loft on ClevelandsWest Side. To continue to meet customer needswhich was eventually facilitated by the demise of theHupp Motor Car Corporationthe move to largerfacilities was inevitable.

While Cleveland was known for its aviation industry,it also had an automotive industry, primarily from thepopularity of the Cleveland Automobile Companys

Cleveland five-passenger touring car. Despite theimpressive performance of the 1920 Cleveland Model 40Touring Car, its success would not withstand the long-term recession. After the Hupp Motor Car Corpora-tion purchased Cleveland Automobile Company in1928, the car was transformed into the Hupmobile.Although the company was based in Detroit, Huppmaintained a 450,000-square-foot automotive plant onEuclid Avenue in Cleveland.

Hupp went into bankruptcy in 1934. Art heardof Hupps difficulties and thought the plant onEuclid Avenue would be ideal for his companysneeds.14 He needed to secure legal assistance imme-diately to help assess the situation and guide a pos-sible transaction.

Art Parker purchased a 450,000-square-foot building at17325 Euclid Avenue after the company outgrew its WestSide loft.


Although it was a Saturday, a young attorney namedJames A.Weeks was working in the office of ClevelandsThompson, Hine & Flory. Art offered Weeks the chal-lenge, and the two drove to Hupps headquarters inDetroit that Monday.After waiting hours in the lobby,thetwo decided to get something to eat.While walking alongthe street,a newsboy related the headlines that Hupp hadgone into receivershipArt and Weeks eagerly returnedto Cleveland.Art and Weeks made a successful offer forthe plant, and Parker Appliance had a new home.15

In December 1935, the companys internal news-letter recorded memories of those leaving Parkersgrand old building:

Sometimes we never realize how much we willmiss a thing until it is taken away. However, amemory is something that cannot be taken away. Mr. Parker, remember when we had so much room[in the rented loft] that you used to park your Buickinside the building where the stockroom now is?16

Because the move to Euclid Avenue held uncertain-ties for the company, Art continued to boost employ-ees morale in the newsletter. His monthly correspon-dence was intended to give them hope for improvedprofitability, something not achieved easily in 1935despite the steady volume of orders:

We can well hope that this is an AVERAGE year,and that we will have many better onessome notso good, but that the average will be no worse than35. One of the advantages of ignorance of the futureis that we can go ahead with ambition and confi-dencewho wants an accurate prophetwho wantsto really know what the future holds? Real knowledgeof the future would take from us the fun of adven-turing and experimenting, and trying out the ideasand plans that come to us each day.17

In spite of the companys growth prior to its moveto Euclid Avenue, Art leased out much of the mam-moth-sized building to help with costs.18, 19 As the com-pany settled into its new headquarters in January 1936,Art described the changes and how he felt they wouldaffect the company:

Here we are in the new plant and all we have todo is make the new place go efficiently. In the past wehave built a FAIR reputation for prompt deliveriesand attention to customers requirements. If we areto hold our performance even to past standards (weare, however, bound to improve our past perfor-mances) we must revise our methods to meet the newconditions encountered in this larger plant.

It is strange to step into our bigger quarters andthe leg work wears you down. However, we nowhave our ding-dong call bells and our elaboratephone system all chiming in unisonso use thephone and save the legs. All we need is a lot ofbusinessmore folks to do jobs and the same oldcheerful spirit. Dont get discouragedeverything isshaping up in grand style.20

The engineering department (below) and the tool room(right), pictured in the late 1930s, were then housed at thenew building, known as the Euclon building.


Earning Respect

Art was happy to recognize the efforts of the ironbenders and the employees in the foundry, tool room,and pattern shop, as well as those in the maintenance,automatics, and inspection departments. But he also

wondered what prompted people to seek employmentat Parker Appliance. In a 1937 contest, employees wereasked to pen letters explaining why Parker Appliancewas a great company. One of the winning entries camefrom Mrs.Anna Mikula, an employees wife, who wrotethe following:

the everlasting personal interest of Mr. Parker inthe welfare of the Parker employees and their families.The open door to the superintendent shop office for allemployees, where any and all technical mechanicaltroubles, grievances and even personal feelings aregiven unbiased personal thoughts the continuedemployment assuring a steady income thecontinued research and experimentation on thedifferent valves and fittings are the direct reasons forParker materials being ahead of the field.

26

IN 1908, HENRY FORD REALIZED HIS LIFELONG DREAMof producing a reasonably priced, reliable, and effi-cient car by creating the Model T. Because the

Model T was easy to operate,maintain,and handle onrough roads, it was an immediate success with thepublic. As other companies catered to the affluent,Ford offered an automobile within economic reach ofmost Americans. At its debut, the Model T could bepurchased for $825, and four years later, the pricedropped to $575.1 By 1914,Ford claimed his companyheld a 48 percent market share,with the Model T rep-resenting half of all cars in America by 1918.2

In 1910, Ford opened a large factory in HighlandPark, Michigan. It was at this plant that Ford would

forever change the way in which industry approachedmanufacturing.3 By combining precision manufac-turing, standardized and interchangeable parts, anda division of labor, the continuous moving assemblyline was created.A carefully timed conveyor belt deliv-ered parts to workers who remained stationary andadded one component to each automobile as it movedpast them.4

As the Model T was produced in record timeand numbers, the Ford Motor Company became thelargest automobile manufacturer in the world. Thismoving assembly line revolutionized automobileproduction by decreasing time and costs, and othercompanies were intrigued. They studied the mech-

ASSEMBLING AMERICANINDUSTRYS FUTURE

Initially, Parker Appliance used only a small portion of theEuclid Avenue facility, renting space to other companies.


Last but not least,the formation of a ParkerWelfare Committee that arrangesthe evening programs plus a family picnicbreaks up and offsets any dull moments inthe Parker routine.21

Along with respect and recognition from employeesand their families, Parker Appliances customer base wasgrowing outside the aviation and automotive fields. Asthe Mount Sinai Medical Center in Cleveland expandedduring the 1930s, the hospital was completely piped withParker fittings.At the same time, the city of Clevelandspumping plants, filtration stations, and power plantsmodified plumbing to incorporate Parker fittings.22

Expansion was also seen in other ways. Art em-ployed Railway Express to speed the delivery of ParkerAppliance components from Euclid Avenue to meetany demand of the expanding aviation industry.

As airplanes increased in size, servomechanismsprovided additional mechanical power for activatingflight control surfaces (ailerons, rudders, and elevators),

flaps, air brakes, and landing gear.23 Parker Appliancemade certain that Arts patents could be applied in avariety of ways for fluid handling and motion control.Parker Appliances involvement in aviation became soprominent that wings were incorporated into the com-panys triangular logo.

Examining Global Industry

Although national recognition for Parker Applianceproducts had increased, it was time to explore globalopportunities.

Art began eyeing overseas developments in theaviation industry. In 1938, only Germany could match

anized conveyor belts that moved among workersstations to see if the method could be applied to theirown products.

Art Parker also examined the assembly-line con-cept, and he thought that it would facilitate the man-ufacturing of his own products.At the time,there washigh demand for the two-piece standard Parker flaredtube coupling, which could be manufactured usingthe new technique.

But Parker Appliance also prided itself on main-taining product quality while meeting large orders.This attention to detail attracted important new cus-tomers such as General Motors Aviation and the FordTri-Motor Aircraft Company to solidify its reputationas a professional, dependable manufacturer.5

Parker Appliance received steady orders thatrequired assembly line technology even through theDepression.Arts incorporation of this manufacturingmethod allowed the company to meet the largestorders it would ever receive throughout the late1930sorders from the U.S. government that wouldprepare the countrys armed forces for World War II.

Assembly-line workers contribute to the production of A-20 attack bombers in 1942. (Photo from the FranklinD. Roosevelt Library collection [NLFDR], courtesy of theU.S. National Archives & Records Administration.)

As Parker ApplianceCompanys involvement with

the aviation industry becameprominent, Art Parker added wings to hisParker Appliance logo, photo circa 1938.


the United States in aircraft technology, and Artthought it might be the next market for Parker aircraftcomponents.24 That year, invited by German officialsfamiliar with Arts expertise, he spent three monthsvisiting the countrys aircraft facilities.

Fully expecting to find German innovation compa-rable to that in the United States, Art was surprised bywhat he discovered. After touring the countrys aircraftfacilities, he became convinced that Germany possessedgroundbreaking aviation technology that was slatedfor use in warwith the United States as a target.25

After Arts tour of Germany, he believed war wasimminent.He refused Germanys invitation to supply itsaircraft components, returned to the United States, andplaced the largest single machine tool order that Cleve-land manufacturer Warner & Swasey had ever received.26

Art intended to develop components for critical fuel-han-dling systems for a variety of U.S. military aircraft.27

As the machinery order was delivered to ParkerAppliance, Germany became increasingly belliger-ent under Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazi party.Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, signi-fying the beginning of World War II.28

Final Preparations

Before the war in Europe began, Art convertedParker Appliance into a corporation (on December 30,

28

Displaying Parker Appliances products nationally wasimportant to Art Parker, and the company often attended thePower Show in New York City. The Parker Appliance PowerShow display in 1936 (left) and in December 1939 (below).(Photo below by Herbert Studios.)

1938). Shortly after, the company made a public offer-ing of its stock and sold 100,000 shares to raise addi-tional capital to prepare for the inevitable orders fromthe U.S. government.29, 30

Art also made arrangements in the United Statesto secure licenses under a number of patents, which,together with Parker patents, broadened his techni-cal base. By mutually initiating license agreements withothers in the aviation industry, Art gave these compa-

nies the authority to use Parker innovations withoutthe threat of infringement. This strategy, combinedwith Arts decision to place less emphasis on the auto-motive marketplace, prepared Parker Appliance for thelargest orders the company had ever received.31

With Parker Appliances workforce growing,40 patents in hand, and sales reaching $3 millionin 1939, the company was ready to answer the nationscall to arms.32


This July 1943 cover of Parker Appliances internal newsletter, Fitting News, showcased the companys support of war bondpurchases during World War II.

C H A P T E R T H R E E

SUPPLYING THE U.S.FOR FREEDOM

19401945

1940 Sales: $3 Million | 1945 Sales: $21.9 Million

With a skilled Research Department, fully integrated plant facilities, anationwide sales and service organization and high reputation forproduction quality and dependability, your Company stands ready for whatmay come in the post-war era.

Art Parker, founder of Parker Appliance Company

AS WORLD WAR II BEGAN, U.S. MANUFACTURERS

were readying for increased production tosupport the nations troops. Because of

Arthur L. Parkers expertise within the aircraftindustry, Parker Appliance was prepared to fillproduct orders from the government. The nationsaircraft builders needed a steady supply ofspecialized couplings, valves, and otherhydraulic piping systems. This became thecompanys main focus. To fill the increasednumber of orders, Parker Appliance grew from910 employees in 1940 to approximately 2,600 inAugust 1941.1 Other changes were also inevitable as aresult of this new business focus.

Parker Appliance suspended manufacturing indus-trial products for private companies to supportthe war effort completely, and most of the workwas accomplished in Cleveland, Ohio. Art knewthe West Coast was essential geographically to ser-vice the aircraft industry effectively, so he estab-lished the Pacific Coast Division of Parker Appli-ance in Los Angeles in 1940.2 This 14-acre rentedplant contained complete manufacturing facili-ties to expedite production and delivery services forWest Coast customers.

Although Arts attention was focused onhis companys expansion through additionalstaff and manufacturing facilities, his commit-ment to innovative engineering never wavered.

He gained 12 additional patents in 1940. Fromimprovements to a gas engine energizer to a

fuel-distributing device to a variety of valveassemblies, Art was determined to helpprovide useful technology to the UnitedStates as it was drawn into the war.3,4,5

Growing with the Times

With production in Cleveland and Los Angelesprogressing smoothly and Parker Appliances work-force nearly tripling, Art continued the expansion ofthe company. Three new plant buildings were con-structed adjacent to the building in Cleveland.6 Designed

World War II war bond drives were so integral to ParkerAppliances support of the war effort that an official mascotsalesman, Parkie, was created in the companys foundryto market the bonds, circa 1943.


for production, these buildings cost $400,000. Morethan $1.5 million was spent on machinery and equip-ment, in addition to the approximately $1 million ofmachinery purchased in 1940.7 Art described theimpact these additions would have on the company:

Completion of the plan building program willadd about 90,000 square feet of floor space toproductive facilities. Present operations cover morethan 180,000 square feet.8

Although costs were mounting, Art knew that hisefforts to supply quality products to the governmentwere important. According to the Cleveland PlainDealer, a local newspaper, Parker Appliance was doingeverything possible to meet the governments orders:

Keeping pace with increasing demands of thebooming aircraft industry, the company has boosted itsproduction and is operating two 11-hour shifts daily inmost departments. Some departments are workingthree shifts a day, six days a week. About 50,000 typesof piping appliances are made by the company, whichalso fabricates tubing for special needs. Companyofficials estimated that the average trainer plane carriedaround 300 couplings, valves, and other Parker parts ofvarious shapes and sizes. Four-engine bombing planes,they added, required more than 3,000 specializedfittings to control the flow of liquids and air.9

Parker Appliances link tube installations were usedfor locomotives, chips, power plants, machine tools,

chemical operations, and scores of other uses. TheU.S. Navy was also using Parker Appliance equip-ment for servicing jobs on naval vessels.10

While its main plant was heavily dedicated to forg-ings that formed metals into parts in its foundry, Artwas busy calculating what was needed to meet the mil-itarys expectations as well as planning for the futureneeds of the aviation industry.

Sealing Parker Appliances Fate

While the expansion of Parker Appliances Cleve-land operations and the creation of the Pacific CoastDivision were necessary, Art found that with growthcame new problems.

The pressure to produce increased when the Japan-ese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.Although the United States had hoped to stop Japansadvance through oil embargoes, Japanese forces hadgained momentum, killing more than 2,000 in Oahu,Hawaii, and effectively marking the United Statesformal involvement in the war.11

The United States needed to respond forcefully, butthe most difficult problem in the emerging field offluid-power systems for aircraft and naval ships was

32

With production demands constantly increasing from thegovernment, Art Parker began an expansion program thatincluded construction of three new plant buildings to adjoin theEuclon building, costing the company $400,000, circa 1941.

C H A P T E R T H R E E : S U P P L Y I N G T H E U . S . F O R F R E E D O M 33

how to seal petroleum-based oils. While natural rub-ber seemed the best conduit, it did not hold up well toprolonged exposure to petroleum-based fluids. Rubberwas also difficult to obtain as the United States supplyfrom Sumatra, Borneo, and other rubber plantationswas cut off because of the war.

To alleviate this shortfall, the U.S. government insti-tuted a massive program to replace natural rubber withGovernment Rubber-Styrene (GRS). Although it wasan effective application for tires and water hoses, GRSlost its elastometric, or rubberlike, properties with pro-longed exposure to mineral-based fluids.12 High pres-sure and high temperatures from the new hydraulicsystems in aircraft and trucks also proved too muchfor other sealing devices, such as wax-impregnatedsennit and leathers.

With a heavy subsidy from the government, naturaland synthetic rubber suppliersincluding Goodrich,Goodyear, Standard Oil, and Firestonequicklydeveloped Buna-N. Buna-N could swell and retainmilitary specification hydraulic fluids, in additionto withstanding long exposure to the fluid.13 It wasthe best alternative to natural rubber. While the resultwas the ultimate tool in delivering performance, the

chemical process of producing Buna-N was beyondwhat rubber supply manufacturers had agreed on.Because Goodrich and its colleagues were only supply-ing the compound ingredient for Buna-N, rather thanproducing rubber themselves, Art saw an opportunityfor future growth.

Art added a research and development (R & D) labo-ratory in one of the new buildings on Euclid Avenue.The laboratory was created specifically to develop rub-berlike substances, as well as a series of lubricants.14 Itwas led by a young mechanical engineer, Robert C.Fuhrman,and a graduate rubber chemist,E. J. (Manny)Carlotta. While the development of rubberlike sub-stances was important, a much higher priority for theR&D team was to create lubricants needed for the

The Parker Appliance Employee Orchestra provided the BigBand sound, from behind proudly displayed company logos, fora Bond Employee Talent Show fundraiser. The bandleader,Frankie Laine, was a versatile lathe operator who would go on tobecome a nationally famous vocalist in the 1950s. One of hishit songs was Ghost Riders in the Sky.


fittings and valve departments.15 E. W. Ned Hollis,former vice president and general manager of ParkerAppliances rubber division, explained:

Two of the main ingredients in most of thesecompounds were castor oil and sheep fat. Themanufacturing process involved cooking the ingre-dients in huge steam kettles for many hours, whichwould permeate the atmosphere of the entire plantand neighborhood with a fragrance that did notcompare favorably to Chanel No. 5!16, 17

As production of lubricants increased, so did thecreation of Parker Appliance devices designed to useO-rings (solid-rubber seals that seal in fuel). Bulk-head fittings, engine primers, selector valves, shut-offvalves, and needle valves needed quality seals to func-tion properly. Unfortunately, Parker Appliances O-ring

suppliers were not dependable. Art ordered his R&Dteam to develop a chemical-based rubber compoundthat would enable Parker Appliance to produce itsown O-rings, as well as similar seals and gaskets. Afterhe purchased laboratory presses, molds, mixers, andother equipment, Parker Appliance was immersedin the rubber business.

The technology surrounding hydraulic systems forlanding gear, flaps, control surfaces, bomb bay doors,and control servo-systems required for aircrafts wasalso evolving. Hollis reminisced about the war produc-tion days in Parker Appliances rubber division:

The efficiency and flexibility of tubing and tubefittings in plumbing together multiple engines andmultiple tanks provided a baseline of products, but itwas a natural evolution to provide many othercomponent parts of the fuel system harness. Selector

34

AS THE UNITED STATES WAS STRUGGLING FOR FINAN-

cial survival amidst the ruins of the Great Depression in the early 1930s, Germany

turned toward a new leader in hopes of economicrecovery. Adolf Hitler appealed to the lower andmiddle classes through promises of restructuringthe German economy and rearming its military.1

While heading the National Socialist German Work-ersParty (better known as the Nazi Party), Hitler roseto power and became chancellor of Germany onJanuary 30, 1933.

One month after being appointed chancellor,Hitlerlegalized the incarceration of political opponents andthose who opposed his leadership. According to thePresidential Order, those who endanger humanlife by their opposition will be sentenced to penalservitude, or in extenuating circumstances to a termof imprisonment of not less than six months. 2

A short six weeks later, the first Nazi concentra-tion camp, known as Dachau, officially openedin an abandoned gunpowder factory.3 The local

German newspaper, Munchner Neueste Nachrichten,published a statement regarding the camp:

The Munich Chief of Police, Himmler, has issuedthe following press announcement: On Wednesday,the first concentration camp is to be opened inDachau with an accommodation for 5,000 persons.All Communists andwhere necessaryReichsbanner (a Social Democratic party militia)and Social Democratic functionaries who endangerstate security are to be concentrated here, as in thelong run it is not possible to keep individualfunctionaries in the state prisons without overbur-dening these prisons, and on the other hand thesepeople cannot be released because attempts haveshown that they persist in their efforts to agitateand organize as soon as they are released.4

By May 1, 1933, 1,200 inmates were held atDachau; by the end of the year, there were 4,821registered prisoners.5

SURVIVING AGAINST ALL ODDS


valves, shut-off valves, level control valves, boosterseven fuel filters. And almost every one of thesedevices required sealing against leakage. MoreO-rings, more special design seals.18

The importance of Parker Appliances R & D divi-sion became paramount in an environment ladenwith wars erratic demands. The belief at Parker Appli-ance was that future development comes only as adirect result of intelligent planning.19 Yet, the companyadmitted that preparing for new products to be createdand sold for the after-war market was very difficult.Anticipating what products would be needed andwhen they should be available would have been purespeculation in that the date of the wars end is abso-lutely unpredictable.

The company continued to grow, although this wasnot immediately reflected in the bottom line. Net

income for the fiscal year ending 1943 was just morethan $1.2 million. While this figure was down slightlyfrom the year before because of the substantial increasein facilities and personnel, Art remained confident.According to the 1943 Annual Report:

[The] expansion has been well controlled, and our facilities will be fully occupied in the post-warperiod. With a skilled Research Department, fullyintegrated plant facilities, a nation-wide sales andservice organization and high reputation forproduction quality and dependability, yourCompany stands ready for what may come in thepost-war era.20

Throughout 1941 and 1942, Parker Applianceexpanded with 12 nationwide sales and service facili-ties based in New York; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta;

Arthur Kerdemann was among the 12,000 Jewsand 4,000 Aryans who were marched throughDachaus gates in 1938, but was one of the few wholeft alive. After being arrested for allegedly killing aGerman diplomat, Kerdemann spent five monthsat Dachau. His relatives had obtained a passportfor him to Shanghaithe Nazis were releasing allwho could get passage out of the occupied terri-tory.At the last minute, Kerdemann was able to joinhis sister in England where he stayed for fivemonths before sailing to the United States.6

Kerdemann began working at Parker ApplianceCompany in Cleveland. Through his work in the tooldesign department, he appreciated the freedom andadvantages the country had to offer.7 When he wasinterviewed for a story on his experiences for ParkerAppliances internal newsletter in 1943, Kerdemannstated that he almost felt grateful for his troublesif he had not been arrested in Germany, he mightnot have traveled to the United States.8

Yet the struggles he encountered at Dachau couldnot truly be understood by Americans not fullyaware of Hitlers wrath overseas. Kerdemann hadbeen told he was being watched by the Gestapo inGermany and that he should not talk of his expe-rience within that country as he would be returned

to camp immediately. Elsewhere, however, he wasat liberty to say all he pleased.

Because they wont believe you anyway,Kerdemann said. The peculiar part, is that mostpeople dont.9

Arthur Kerdemann of Parker Appliances tool designdepartment spent five months in Dachau, Germanys firstconcentration camp, circa 1943.


Dayton; Detroit; Chicago; Dallas; Kansas City; LosAngeles; San Diego; Seattle; and Montreal, Canada. Akey player in spreading the attributes of Parker prod-ucts was the Parker Service Engineer who served asa liaison between the company and the customer.This industrial concept, introduced in the early1940s, was one that Art watched carefully to ensure hisEngineering and R & D departments were aware of theevolution of customer needs.21

Women Join the Workforce

Parker Appliances employees worked around theclock following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.Twenty-four hours out of every twenty-four-hour dayand seven days out of every seven-day week, themachines are running and Parker folks are workinghard for VICTORY, stated the January 1943 issueof the companys internal newsletter, Fitting News. Toensure the plants could run at this pace, the company

needed to fill its ranks being depleted by the war. ParkerAppliance began hiring women to meet the need forable-bodied workers.

Although millions of American women werealready working in plants similar to Parker Applianceacross the country, U. S. War Manpower CommissionChief Paul V. McNutt stated that one out of everysix women over 18 and not now employed will beneeded in the nations labor force by the end of 1943and one out of every fourpossibly threehouse-wives between 18 and 44 will be employed in thenations war effort by that time.22 At the beginning of1943, female employees represented 30 percent of theU.S. factory workforce, and this number was growing

36

At a national trade show, Parker Appliance demonstrates thevital role women played in manufacturing its products tosupport the war.

at the rate of 125 new female employees each month.23

The January 1943 issue of Fitting News described theeffect of women in Parker Appliances workforce:

No task is too small and few too heavy for thewomen as they fill the gaps in the production lines.They did not come to usurp mens places beside themachines. They have come to help as they wereneeded in Parkers part in this gargantuan endeavorto keep the machines rolling. As evidence that womenat Parker are sincere in their participation in indus-trial war work is the fact that in the early spring oflast year over 200 of the female employees voluntarilycontributed a days pay to the Pearl Harbor Fund.24

Employees Help the War Effort

As production continued incessantly, Art knew thathis employees personal needs had to be met as well. Heprovided social outlets, such as bowling and softball

leagues,which offered prize money,and numerous vari-ety shows,which showcased the talents of Parker employ-ees.While these variety shows were created for entertain-ment and enjoyment, the overall purpose remainedserious as they were opportunities to urge employees tobuy war bonds. The idea of raising funds for war bondsat Parker Appliances Cleveland headquarters became sopopular that Hollywood star John Garfield visited theplant December 5, 1942, and told employees that buy-ing war bonds is not only a good investment for yourmoney, but the patriotic duty of every good American.25

By October 1943, employees had bought more than$900,000 in all types of bonds.26 The war bond drivesbecame ingrained in the Parker Appliance culture.

Parker Appliance employees supported World War II efforts inmany ways, as seen by this billboard on London Road inCleveland that encouraged blood donations.


AS THE UNITED STATES ENTERED WORLD WAR

II, there was a national call for defense thatevery American was willing to pay forlit-

erally. Defense bonds were sold to finance the wareffort. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor onDecember 7, 1941, the U.S. government changedthe name to war bonds. After President FranklinD. Roosevelt bought the first bond May 1, 1941,everyone from artists and movie stars to youngwomen at makeshift stands pleaded with Americansto buy war bonds.1

To promote these Series E bonds, the campaignstirred the conscience of Americans by appealingto both their financial and moral stake in the war.By buying bonds, which were offered in variousdenominations, they could show patriotism bysacrificing their hard-earned money. However, theaverage hourly pay rate at the time was 85.3 centsan hour,and investing was difficult for most.2 In 1942,

the value of the dollar was steep (equal to$12.59 at the end of 2007).3

Through advertisements created and endorsed bythe government as well as those generated by privatecompanies and organizations, the First War LoanDrive began November 30, 1942. Sales totaled almost$13 billion$1.6 billion were sold to individuals,and the rest were purchased by corporations andcommercial banks.4

Much of the sales success was a result of Holly-woods involvement.After film star Carole Lombardwas killed in a plane crash following a bond rally in

SAVING THE COUNTRYTHROUGH BONDS

During one of its war bond drives to support World War IIefforts, Parker Appliance hosted Hollywood actress GreerGarson, seen here amidst a crowd with Art Parker (left) andClevelands Mayor Frank J. Lausche (right).


which she had raised some $2.5 million, Hollywoodbecame involved with a Stars Over America bondblitz.With 337 stars working 18 hours a day through-out the countrys bond drives, crowds of admiringfans followed with their wallets open.5

Parker Appliance employees were thrilled by filmstar John Garfields visit to the plant December 5,1942.In a surprise announcement, second-shift employeesat the plant were shocked when Garfield stopped totalk about buying war bonds.6 According to the Parker

Appliance January 1943 edition of the internal news-letter, Fitting News:

John Garfield made a deep impression on allParker employees who met him, men and womenalike. Straight-talking and unaffected by his nationalrenown as a motion picture actor, he specializes invisiting war plants.7

Garfield made a lasting impression on Parkeremployees. During the war, Hollywood stars madeseven tours through 300 cities and towns.As the warcame to an end, the last proceeds from a VictoryBond campaign were deposited in the TreasuryJanuary 3,1946,officially finalizing sales.Throughoutthe last five years of sales, the War Finance Committeesold a total of $185.7 billion of securities to more than85 million Americans, including thousands at ParkerAppliance who invested in the bonds.

Parker Appliance employees pledged more than 13 percentof their payroll to purchase war bonds through a payrollsavings plan. Percy Brown (far left), co-chairman of theGreater Cleveland Bond Committee, congratulates Art Parker(far right) as Matt DeMore (center left) and Mayor Frank J.Lausche (center right) look on, circa 1943.


The Parker employees variety show,IMP Lamentsof 1943, was hosted by actress Nancy Kelly andClevelands Mayor Frank Lausche and showcasedsinging and comedy acts at Clevelands Public MusicHall. The show raised $5,000 for the Red Cross. Addi-tional support came from employee blood drives thathelped Cheat Death with Plasma Donations.27 As thewar divided nations, it also created a culture of familyamong Parker Appliance employeesa culture Artknew would ensure his companys survival through thewar and during peace time. Art wrote the followingin the companys 1944 Annual Report:

Fluid Power in aircraft and other war products isfirmly established as the modern method of efficienttransmission of power. Our war-time products areour peace-time products and we will enter into peacetime work as our customers again resume theircivilian production. Your management is conscious ofour obligation to continue all efforts to bring the warto a victorious conclusion and establish soundeconomic conditions for the post-war period.28

Parker Loses Its Leader

Art became concerned about the U.S. governmentsinsistent requests for hydraulic equipment in comparisonto its lesser demands for aircraft production. This lop-sided distribution of work was worrisome,even as it keptParker Appliances profit well above the $1 million markat the end of fiscal year 1944.29 Although Art tried to

Parker Appliance winners of the war bond drive sales contestenjoyed a trip to the Willow Run bomber plant in Michigan,home of the B-24 Liberators, as a reward in September 1944.


persuade war production authorities that other vitaldefense manufacturing was being neglected, the govern-ment maintained its steady stream of orders.30

Manufacturing at Parker Appliance continued togrowas did Arts family. He and Helen had four chil-dren: Thomas, Joyce, Cynthia, and their oldest son,Patrick, who was now a teenager. While Art tried to bea part of his childrens lives, almost all of his time wascommitted to Parker Appliances military production.31

Even as his success mountedParker Appliancestriple-type-U fitting became the only fitting used bythe U.S. Air Corpsthe years of continual pressure ofmeeting the governments demands took its toll.32 OnJanuary 1, 1945, Art suffered a heart attack and passedaway at his home just hours after shoveling snow withhis sons.33 The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported:

The industrial community of Cleveland suffered asevere loss on New Years Day with the death of ArthurL. Parker, founder, president, and general manager ofthe Parker Appliance Co. A master of many sciences a creator of industry and a citizen of vision.These were the words with which, in December 1943,Dr. William E. Wickenden, president of Case School ofApplied Science, bestowed the honorary degree ofdoctor of engineering on this Case graduate.34

As Parker Appliance employees mourned the sud-den death of their leader, Helen reeled from the loss.Her grief escalated when, just five months after her hus-bands death, Germany surrendered to Allied forces,and the war soon ended. While families welcomedhome loved ones, Helen was left with the quietedmachines at Parker Appliance. The company had vir-tually no business, either military or commercial.

Patrick described both the drastic drop in businessand his mothers attitude toward Parker Appliance atthe time:

The companys only customerthe U.S. [wareffort]abruptly went out of business. All that wasleft at Parker were termination claims, inventory,and work in process. Within weeks, employment [atParker Appliance] dropped to less than 300. All facil-ities were idled, and the only work available wasidentifying the millions of partially completed pieceslying around the factory floor.35

[Helen] was made of tough fiber. She resisted anysuggestion of sale or liquidation of the company she insisted that strong professional management berecruited, and that the company be rebuiltadifficult assignment by any measure, and certainlyone that had no sure prospect of success.36

Arts widow was left to decide between what somethought were her only optionsbankruptcy or liqui-dation of her husbands dream.Yet she refused to giveup on a company that her husband had painstak-ingly built.The year ahead would give Helen the oppor-tunity to prove that Parker Appliance could not onlysurvive, but also regain its place as the premier tech-nological supplier to industry.

Art Parker in the mid-1940s, just prior to his death. (Photo byEuclid Studio, Inc.)

After World War II contracts were cancelled and Parker Appliances financial state was spiraling downward, the new management ofS. B. Ghost Taylor, president, and Robert W. Cornell, vice president, looked to marketing the usefulness of Parker Appliancesproducts, as seen here in this Terry Steam Turbine in 1946. (Inset photo by George E. Meyers, Inc.)

C H A P T E R F O U R

STARTING OVER19461950

1946 Sales: $21.9 Million | 1950 Sales: $7.1 Million

Mr. Parker is no longer with us. The best tribute to his memory that the P

Documents

Parker Hannifin a Winning Heritage