F. L. Maytag
Encyclopedia
Frederick Louis Maytag I (July 14, 1857 – March 26, 1937) also known as F. L. Maytag, founded the Maytag
Company, which eventually became the Maytag Corporation which was acquired by the Whirlpool Corporation in 2005.
. The eldest of 10 children born to German immigrants, Amelia Tarebun (1837-?) and Daniel William Maytag (1831-?) [the original spelling of their name was "Maitag" prior to immigrating to the United States, and was "Americanized" to "Maytag" upon arrival]. The full set of children were: Frederick Louis Maytag I (1857–1937) ; Lewis R. Maytag (1859-?); Martha M. Maytag (1862-?); Theodore Henry Maytag (1864-1931); Jacob B. Maytag (1867-?); Emma Maytag (1869-?); Daniel C. Maytag (1872-?); Helena Maytag (1875-?); Anna A. Maytag (1878-?); and Viola Maytag (1880-?). When ten years old F.L. traveled in a covered wagon with his family to a small farm near Laurel, Iowa
, in 1867.
F.L. Maytag eventually took sole control of the firm and renamed it the Maytag Company. As Maytag grew, F.L. forayed into other businesses. In the 1910s, F.L. left the day-to-day company operation in the hands of sons Elmer Henry Maytag
and Lewis Bergman Maytag
, to concentrate on other business areas including new innovations of a washing machine with a gas powered motor branded as the Multi-Motor and a washing machine with an agitator that forced the water through the clothes branded as the Gyrafoam. These inventions proved extremely valuable as by 1927, Maytag was producing more than twice the washers of its nearest competition and had outperformed the industry with growth doubling for five consecutive years.
Even after Elmer Henry Maytag
became Maytag's president in 1926, F.L. was active in promoting Maytag products, and ensuring worker happiness and often greeted employees by asking, "Is everybody happy?"
Mr. Maytag was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1995.
, F.L. donated a 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) park and swimming pool, now named Maytag Park and Maytag Pool. He built and donated the Maytag Hotel and spearheaded a theater and a water plant. F.L. also built hundreds of houses for his workers, selling them on easy terms.
. He left a US$10 million estate (equivalent to $ million today).
A special train brought mourners from the east coast
to Newton, Iowa
, and an estimated 10,000 factory workers and salesmen formed a line five blocks in length to observe the casket processional. Those who could not fit into the First Methodist Church were taken to four other churches and two halls.
Maytag
Maytag Corporation is an American home and commercial appliance company, headquartered in Newton, Iowa, that is a division of the Whirlpool Corporation.-Company history:...
Company, which eventually became the Maytag Corporation which was acquired by the Whirlpool Corporation in 2005.
Birth
F.L. Maytag was born July 14, 1837 in Newton, IowaNewton, Iowa
Newton is a city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,254. It is the home of Maytag Dairy Farms and was formerly home to the Maytag Corporation's corporate headquarters until the Whirlpool Corporation acquired it in 2006...
. The eldest of 10 children born to German immigrants, Amelia Tarebun (1837-?) and Daniel William Maytag (1831-?) [the original spelling of their name was "Maitag" prior to immigrating to the United States, and was "Americanized" to "Maytag" upon arrival]. The full set of children were: Frederick Louis Maytag I (1857–1937) ; Lewis R. Maytag (1859-?); Martha M. Maytag (1862-?); Theodore Henry Maytag (1864-1931); Jacob B. Maytag (1867-?); Emma Maytag (1869-?); Daniel C. Maytag (1872-?); Helena Maytag (1875-?); Anna A. Maytag (1878-?); and Viola Maytag (1880-?). When ten years old F.L. traveled in a covered wagon with his family to a small farm near Laurel, Iowa
Laurel, Iowa
Laurel is a city in Marshall County, Iowa, United States. The population was 266 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Laurel is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, in 1867.
Business
In 1893, F.L., his two brothers-in-law, and George W. Parsons each contributed US$600, for a total of US$2,400, to start a new farm implement company named Parsons Band-Cutter & Self Feeder Company. This company produced threshing machines, band-cutters, and self-feeder attachments invented by Parsons.F.L. Maytag eventually took sole control of the firm and renamed it the Maytag Company. As Maytag grew, F.L. forayed into other businesses. In the 1910s, F.L. left the day-to-day company operation in the hands of sons Elmer Henry Maytag
Elmer Henry Maytag
Elmer Henry Maytag was the Maytag Corporation president starting in 1926. He also founded the Maytag Dairy Farms.-Biography:...
and Lewis Bergman Maytag
Lewis Bergman Maytag
Lewis Bergman Maytag I was the Maytag Corporation president. He was the son of founder, Frederick Louis Maytag I, and he had a brother: Elmer Henry Maytag. He married and had as his son Lewis Bergman Maytag II -References:...
, to concentrate on other business areas including new innovations of a washing machine with a gas powered motor branded as the Multi-Motor and a washing machine with an agitator that forced the water through the clothes branded as the Gyrafoam. These inventions proved extremely valuable as by 1927, Maytag was producing more than twice the washers of its nearest competition and had outperformed the industry with growth doubling for five consecutive years.
Even after Elmer Henry Maytag
Elmer Henry Maytag
Elmer Henry Maytag was the Maytag Corporation president starting in 1926. He also founded the Maytag Dairy Farms.-Biography:...
became Maytag's president in 1926, F.L. was active in promoting Maytag products, and ensuring worker happiness and often greeted employees by asking, "Is everybody happy?"
Mr. Maytag was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1995.
Marriage
F.L. married Dena Bergman, and they had two sons and two daughters. To the city of Newton, IowaNewton, Iowa
Newton is a city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,254. It is the home of Maytag Dairy Farms and was formerly home to the Maytag Corporation's corporate headquarters until the Whirlpool Corporation acquired it in 2006...
, F.L. donated a 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) park and swimming pool, now named Maytag Park and Maytag Pool. He built and donated the Maytag Hotel and spearheaded a theater and a water plant. F.L. also built hundreds of houses for his workers, selling them on easy terms.
Death
In 1937, Frederick Maytag died of a heart ailment at Good Samaritan Hospital, near his winter home in Beverly Hills, CaliforniaBeverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
. He left a US$10 million estate (equivalent to $ million today).
A special train brought mourners from the east coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
to Newton, Iowa
Newton, Iowa
Newton is a city in and the county seat of Jasper County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 15,254. It is the home of Maytag Dairy Farms and was formerly home to the Maytag Corporation's corporate headquarters until the Whirlpool Corporation acquired it in 2006...
, and an estimated 10,000 factory workers and salesmen formed a line five blocks in length to observe the casket processional. Those who could not fit into the First Methodist Church were taken to four other churches and two halls.
Quotes
- "In all business, there is a factor which cannot be compensated for in dollars and cents or computed by any measure. It has no relation or connection with the mercenary and is represented only by the spirit of love which the true craftsman holds for his job and the things he is trying to accomplish."
- "Is everybody happy?"