H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company
Encyclopedia
H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company was founded in 1893 by industrialist Herbert H. Franklin
in Syracuse, New York
. The company specialized in machine die-casting and made small parts such as gears and bearing caps. It was the first company in the world in that enterprise.
In 1902, Franklin teamed with engineer John Wilkinson
to form the Franklin Automobile Company
in the manufacture of automobile
s in the United States
in Syracuse
. The main company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of its aircraft engine branch
, closed in 1934 due to bankruptcy.
worked as a newspaper publisher, real estate agent and Columbia Bicycle shop owner in Coxsackie, New York
. After he quit the publishing business in 1893, he relocated to Syracuse, New York
.
Franklin began his career in the metal die casting
business (in fact, he invented the term) before establishing his automobile enterprise.
where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company. Franklin remained in that capacity until 1892.
By late 1892, Franklin became interested in die casting
when Herbert G. Underwood of Yonkers, New York
, an employee of a valve company Franklin had helped to bring to Coxsackie, was experimenting with a "hydrostatic moulding process." Not long after, Franklin quit the newspaper business, and relocated to Syracuse, New York
.
Franklin was presented with an opportunity to "buy" a patent for the process of die-casting and he jumped at the chance. Later, he accurately predicted; "We are developing a process that will revolutionize the metal manufacturing business."
"I had been thinking of trying newspaper work in a larger place, like Syracuse, Rochester or Buffalo," Franklin later wrote, "Instead I formed a co-ownership arrangement with Underwood and came to Syracuse to introduce the process."
Die-casting is the process of forcing metal into steel molds so that smooth casting
are produced without machining. H. H. Franklin launched commercial die-casting and was considered the "Godfather" of the process. He also pioneered the fabrication of aluminum.
In the early days of the business, Franklin would use steel molds as opposed to the normal sand cast molds used in the process later on.
He set up his business with Underwood, and moved into a small machine shop at 241 West Onondaga Street, near Onondaga Creek
and close to the Smith Premier Typewriter Company plant. The first-marketed product was a match-striker, a plate with a hole or holes in it for fastening to the wall, and corrugations on it for the new friction matches or safety matches. "They were succeeding the old lucifers or sulphur matches."
In the beginning, the company was a small operation. During 1895, the plant cost $15 a month to operate. Franklin, by then an experienced die-caster, would arrive at the shop at 6:00 am each morning to start the fires and get ready for the days work.
Next he had a factory and casting shop in North Franklin Street where he stayed until 1900.
For a time, Howard Franklin, who was Franklin's brother worked for the company. He had set up the first shop which burned down and the company found space in the Lipe Shop. While there, Franklin found himself in the middle of a business incubator. He formed associations with early business leaders, from many different fields, including; John Wilkinson
, Alexander T. Brown
, Charles E. Lipe, Albert Seymour, H. Winifield Chapin and James Pass who was president of Syracuse China
.
, Alexander T. Brown, Willard C. Lipe, Henry K. Chadwick and Giles Heath Stilwell.
At a subsequent meeting of the directors, the following officers were chosen; Alexander T. Brown, president; Willard C. Lipe, vice-president; Henry Knowles Chadwick, secretary; Herbert H. Franklin
, treasurer and manager, and Giles Heath Stilwell, attorney.
In April 1920, officers of the company were elected as follows;
Directors were;
"reabsorbed" the diecasting subsidiary and consequently, it also went under when the parent company failed.
Franklin Manufacturing and Franklin Automobile were both declared bankrupt April 3, 1934, after reporting $2,088,000 in bank loans long overdue. For three years, Franklin "doggedly" fought off failure. He had "cajoled" his bankers into renewing bank loans equal three times the company's current assets. Despite all hopes, reorganization plans fell through and the company passed into bankrupty and the hands of a receiver. The aircraft engine subsidiary
survived and was purchased by employees.
Herbert H. Franklin
Herbert H. Franklin was born in Lisle, New York located in Broome County in Southern New York State.In 1886, at age 19, he moved to Coxsackie, New York where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company...
in Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The company specialized in machine die-casting and made small parts such as gears and bearing caps. It was the first company in the world in that enterprise.
In 1902, Franklin teamed with engineer John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson (Franklin automobile)
John Wilkinson was born in Syracuse, New York. He invented the air-cooled motor which was used in the Franklin produced by H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company where he was chief engineer and designer from 1902 to 1924.He was a native of Syracuse and a member of an established, respected, wealthy...
to form the Franklin Automobile Company
Franklin (automobile)
The Franklin Automobile Company was a manufacturer of automobiles in the United States between 1902 and 1934 in Syracuse, New York. Herbert H. Franklin, the founder, began his career in the metal die casting business before establishing his automobile enterprise.Franklin founded the H. H. Franklin...
in the manufacture of automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
s in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The main company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of its aircraft engine branch
Franklin Engine Company
The Franklin Engine Company was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, formed as the H. H. Franklin Co. in 1902, located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Barely surviving bankruptcy in 1933, the company was purchased by a group of ex-employees and renamed Aircooled Motors in 1937...
, closed in 1934 due to bankruptcy.
History
Herbert H. FranklinHerbert H. Franklin
Herbert H. Franklin was born in Lisle, New York located in Broome County in Southern New York State.In 1886, at age 19, he moved to Coxsackie, New York where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company...
worked as a newspaper publisher, real estate agent and Columbia Bicycle shop owner in Coxsackie, New York
Coxsackie (town), New York
Coxsackie is a town in Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 8,918 at the 2010 census. The name of the town is said to derived from a Native American term, but it has various translations ....
. After he quit the publishing business in 1893, he relocated to Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
Franklin began his career in the metal die casting
Die casting
Die casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process...
business (in fact, he invented the term) before establishing his automobile enterprise.
Die-cast process
In 1886, at age 19, Franklin moved to Coxsackie, New YorkCoxsackie (town), New York
Coxsackie is a town in Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 8,918 at the 2010 census. The name of the town is said to derived from a Native American term, but it has various translations ....
where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company. Franklin remained in that capacity until 1892.
By late 1892, Franklin became interested in die casting
Die casting
Die casting is a metal casting process that is characterized by forcing molten metal under high pressure into a mold cavity. The mold cavity is created using two hardened tool steel dies which have been machined into shape and work similarly to an injection mold during the process...
when Herbert G. Underwood of Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
, an employee of a valve company Franklin had helped to bring to Coxsackie, was experimenting with a "hydrostatic moulding process." Not long after, Franklin quit the newspaper business, and relocated to Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
Franklin was presented with an opportunity to "buy" a patent for the process of die-casting and he jumped at the chance. Later, he accurately predicted; "We are developing a process that will revolutionize the metal manufacturing business."
Manufacturing company
By 1893, the money he earned from his many enterprises in Coxsackie supported him for almost a year and helped him launch the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company which was the first machine die-casting enterprise in the world. The company was incorporated on December 12, 1895."I had been thinking of trying newspaper work in a larger place, like Syracuse, Rochester or Buffalo," Franklin later wrote, "Instead I formed a co-ownership arrangement with Underwood and came to Syracuse to introduce the process."
Die-casting is the process of forcing metal into steel molds so that smooth casting
Casting
In metalworking, casting involves pouring liquid metal into a mold, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowing it to cool and solidify. The solidified part is also known as a casting, which is ejected or broken out of the mold to complete the process...
are produced without machining. H. H. Franklin launched commercial die-casting and was considered the "Godfather" of the process. He also pioneered the fabrication of aluminum.
In the early days of the business, Franklin would use steel molds as opposed to the normal sand cast molds used in the process later on.
He set up his business with Underwood, and moved into a small machine shop at 241 West Onondaga Street, near Onondaga Creek
Onondaga Creek
Onondaga Creek is a major tributary of Onondaga Lake which is located in Onondaga County, New York. The headwaters of the creek originate south of the city of Syracuse near the hamlet of Vesper, New York...
and close to the Smith Premier Typewriter Company plant. The first-marketed product was a match-striker, a plate with a hole or holes in it for fastening to the wall, and corrugations on it for the new friction matches or safety matches. "They were succeeding the old lucifers or sulphur matches."
In the beginning, the company was a small operation. During 1895, the plant cost $15 a month to operate. Franklin, by then an experienced die-caster, would arrive at the shop at 6:00 am each morning to start the fires and get ready for the days work.
Next he had a factory and casting shop in North Franklin Street where he stayed until 1900.
Lipe shop
After several years in business, Underwood grew tired of the day-to-day business and instead wanted to work on perfecting the die-casting process. He sold his interest in the company to Franklin. Later, in 1900, Franklin moved his company to the Lipe Shop, on the northeast corner of West Fayette Street and South Geddes Street (208 South Geddes Street). "This was a famous center for mechanics, engaged in inventing and developing a wide range of devices."For a time, Howard Franklin, who was Franklin's brother worked for the company. He had set up the first shop which burned down and the company found space in the Lipe Shop. While there, Franklin found himself in the middle of a business incubator. He formed associations with early business leaders, from many different fields, including; John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson (Franklin automobile)
John Wilkinson was born in Syracuse, New York. He invented the air-cooled motor which was used in the Franklin produced by H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company where he was chief engineer and designer from 1902 to 1924.He was a native of Syracuse and a member of an established, respected, wealthy...
, Alexander T. Brown
Alexander T. Brown
Alexander T. Brown was an inventor, engineer, businessman and entrepreneur in Syracuse, New York and was credited with over 100 inventions. He invented the Smith Premier typewriter, the L. C...
, Charles E. Lipe, Albert Seymour, H. Winifield Chapin and James Pass who was president of Syracuse China
Syracuse China
Syracuse China Corporation, located in Syracuse, New York, was a manufacturer of fine china. Founded in 1871 as Onondaga Pottery Company in the town of Geddes, New York, the company initially produced earthenware...
.
Babbitt bushings
During early 1909, the company concentrated their efforts on die-cast hard babbitt bushings for gasoline and other engines. The reason for the move was because so many manufacturers were producing engines, there was a huge demand. The bushings produced by the company were known for their rigidity due to the pressure used in the process when the cast was poured. The bushings had been in use since 1903 and about 7,000 cars had been fitted with them and they are said to give "universal satisfaction."Company officers
In 1901, the board of directors for the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company elected the following directors; Herbert H. FranklinHerbert H. Franklin
Herbert H. Franklin was born in Lisle, New York located in Broome County in Southern New York State.In 1886, at age 19, he moved to Coxsackie, New York where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company...
, Alexander T. Brown, Willard C. Lipe, Henry K. Chadwick and Giles Heath Stilwell.
At a subsequent meeting of the directors, the following officers were chosen; Alexander T. Brown, president; Willard C. Lipe, vice-president; Henry Knowles Chadwick, secretary; Herbert H. Franklin
Herbert H. Franklin
Herbert H. Franklin was born in Lisle, New York located in Broome County in Southern New York State.In 1886, at age 19, he moved to Coxsackie, New York where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company...
, treasurer and manager, and Giles Heath Stilwell, attorney.
In April 1920, officers of the company were elected as follows;
- Herbert H. FranklinHerbert H. FranklinHerbert H. Franklin was born in Lisle, New York located in Broome County in Southern New York State.In 1886, at age 19, he moved to Coxsackie, New York where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company...
, president - Giles H. Stilwell, vice-president
- Frank A. Barton, secretary and treasurer
Directors were;
- H. H. Franklin
- Giles H. Stilwell - lawyer, from Lisle, New YorkLisle (town), New YorkLisle is a town in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 2,707 at the 2000 census.The town is in the northwest part of the county and is north of Binghamton. The town also includes a village called Lisle.- History :...
- Frank A. Barton - married Franklin's sister, Mary Franklin
- Alexander T. Brown - one of the inventors of the Smith premier typewriter and founder of Brown-Lipe gear company with W. C. Lipe
- Willard C. Lipe - went on to found Brown-Lipe company in SyracuseSyracuse, New YorkSyracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, manufacturer of gears, along with A. T. Brown - E. H. Dunn
- John WilkinsonJohn Wilkinson (Franklin automobile)John Wilkinson was born in Syracuse, New York. He invented the air-cooled motor which was used in the Franklin produced by H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company where he was chief engineer and designer from 1902 to 1924.He was a native of Syracuse and a member of an established, respected, wealthy...
- inventor of the Franklin air-cooled motor, chief engineer, promoted to vice-president in 1910
Subsidiary and company failure
The die-casting business was split into a subsidiary called Franklin Die-Casting Corp. In 1926, Franklin Manufacturing"reabsorbed" the diecasting subsidiary and consequently, it also went under when the parent company failed.
Franklin Manufacturing and Franklin Automobile were both declared bankrupt April 3, 1934, after reporting $2,088,000 in bank loans long overdue. For three years, Franklin "doggedly" fought off failure. He had "cajoled" his bankers into renewing bank loans equal three times the company's current assets. Despite all hopes, reorganization plans fell through and the company passed into bankrupty and the hands of a receiver. The aircraft engine subsidiary
Franklin Engine Company
The Franklin Engine Company was a manufacturer of aircraft engines, formed as the H. H. Franklin Co. in 1902, located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Barely surviving bankruptcy in 1933, the company was purchased by a group of ex-employees and renamed Aircooled Motors in 1937...
survived and was purchased by employees.