Warren G. Grimes
Encyclopedia
Warren G. Grimes was Urbana, Ohio
's most prominent entrepreneur, inventor and is known as the "Father of the Aircraft Lighting Industry".
had lived and worked. During 1913, at the age of 15, Warren Grimes ran away from an orphanage in Tiffin, Ohio to live with his brother Frank in Detroit. He worked for Ford until he became a partner in an electrical small business operation that impressed Henry Ford. Ford approached Grimes in the mid 1920s and requested him to design a light for the Ford Tri-Motor Aircraft. Grimes designed and produced the lamp within 48 hours marking the beginning of his aviation entrepreneurial legacy.
In the 1930's, Grimes moved to Urbana, Ohio
and started Grimes Manufacturing Company and purchased the Johnson farm, located on the northern side of Urbana, located along U.S. Route 68
, where he constructed both his residence and a small airstrip or Grimes Field
Airport.
, Grimes Manufacturing Company had grown to produce lighting for the needs of the American military aviation industry. In fact, it is noted that "every American-made airplane flown during World War II was equipped with Grimes lights". Grimes also served as mayor of Urbana, Ohio and chairman of the State of Ohio Aviation Board. Grimes Manufacturing Company continues to design, develop and manufacture lighting systems for aviation, aerospace and transportation industries.
Urbana, Ohio
Urbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Ohio, United States, west of Columbus. Urbana was laid out in 1805, and for a time in 1812 was the headquarters of the Northwestern army. Urbana was named after the town of Urbanna, Virginia. It is the burial-place of the Indian fighter...
's most prominent entrepreneur, inventor and is known as the "Father of the Aircraft Lighting Industry".
Career
Warren G. Grimes was born in rural Montgomery County in 1898 a few miles from where the Wright BrothersWright brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903...
had lived and worked. During 1913, at the age of 15, Warren Grimes ran away from an orphanage in Tiffin, Ohio to live with his brother Frank in Detroit. He worked for Ford until he became a partner in an electrical small business operation that impressed Henry Ford. Ford approached Grimes in the mid 1920s and requested him to design a light for the Ford Tri-Motor Aircraft. Grimes designed and produced the lamp within 48 hours marking the beginning of his aviation entrepreneurial legacy.
In the 1930's, Grimes moved to Urbana, Ohio
Urbana, Ohio
Urbana is a city in and the county seat of Champaign County, Ohio, United States, west of Columbus. Urbana was laid out in 1805, and for a time in 1812 was the headquarters of the Northwestern army. Urbana was named after the town of Urbanna, Virginia. It is the burial-place of the Indian fighter...
and started Grimes Manufacturing Company and purchased the Johnson farm, located on the northern side of Urbana, located along U.S. Route 68
U.S. Route 68
U.S. Route 68 is an east–west United States highway that runs for from northwest Ohio to western Kentucky. The highway's western terminus is at U.S. Route 62 in Reidland, Kentucky. Its eastern terminus is at Interstate 75 in Findlay, Ohio...
, where he constructed both his residence and a small airstrip or Grimes Field
Grimes Field
Grimes Field is a city-owned public-use airport located one nautical mile north of the central business district of Urbana, a city in Champaign County, Ohio, United States. Named for Warren G. Grimes, it is also known as Urbana Municipal Airport and it serves general aviation traffic.The airport...
Airport.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Grimes Manufacturing Company had grown to produce lighting for the needs of the American military aviation industry. In fact, it is noted that "every American-made airplane flown during World War II was equipped with Grimes lights". Grimes also served as mayor of Urbana, Ohio and chairman of the State of Ohio Aviation Board. Grimes Manufacturing Company continues to design, develop and manufacture lighting systems for aviation, aerospace and transportation industries.