LUFKIN REFILL TAPE NEW OLD STOCK (NOS), # RW12 (1/2" X 12'), EARLY 1980S.
SEE MY STORE: VINTAGE HARDWARE STORE COLLECTIBLES
The E. T. Lufkin Board and Log Rule Manufacturing Company started in Cleveland, Ohio in 1869 to serve the logging industry. Lufkin produced rules of superior quality, using only the best materials, and the company flourished, gaining a substantial following of loyal customers. The company soon moved to Saginaw, Michigan, which at the time was the center of the logging industry as settlement of the young United States moved relentlessly westward.
Innovation is the key to success for every enterprise, and that was certainly the case for Lufkin, when, in 1890, Lufkin introduced the first steel measuring tape produced in the United States. Numerous innovative products were introduced in the following years, the most successful being the folding wooden rule. The folding rule remained the dominant measuring tool for tradespeople of all types until the 1940s when Lufkin, along with several other manufacturers, made the retractable tape measure a reality.
The Milestones information below was provided by Lufkin collector Ed Fehn
MILESTONES OF THE LUFKIN RULE COMPANY
"1730 HESS STREET SAGINAW, MICHIGAN?
1869 "Founded by Edward T. Lufkin in Cleveland, Ohio. It was known as Lufkin Board and Log Rule Co.? The company manufactured steel folding rules, tapes, log rules, and lumber related items."
1885 "The Company was bought by a group of Saginaw Businessmen headed by Alfred F. Marshall,? general manager of Morley Brothers, (A major hardware distributor in Michigan) and Fred Buck. "The two men took over the E. T. Lufkin Board and Log Rule Co., with Alfred Marshal as financial" "director, Fred Buck as general manager, and Theodore Huss as secretary-treasurer
Fred Buck remained in that position until his death August 12, 1938 at the age of 80.)"
1887 Lufkin started manufacturing Steel Tapes.
1890 The Headquarters was moved to Saginaw November 1st, into a small factory that was built on Hess Street. The factory manufactured mainly Board and Log Rules.
1892 The Cleveland operation was moved to Saginaw.
1903 The Company was running at full capacity and unable to keep pace with orders. It was the largest manufacturer of measuring tapes in the United States.
1915 Lufkin introduces spring-joint rules.
1914 "With Alfred Marshall's death, Fred Buck becomes president and general manager.
1919 After World War I, Lufkin started manufacturing small precision tools."
1922 Lufkin introduces boxwood folding rules.
1938 Robert C. Thompson named president. An addition was added to the plant.
1941-45 During World War II, Lufkin received the Army-Navy E Awards (Flags) five times for its production excellence and efficiency, in supplying weapons and ammunition."
1947 "February 27. A strike was settled after 142 days, they walked out on October 9, 1946."
1950 Lewis Barnard Jr. becomes president. (He is the grandson of Fred Buck.)
1954 "Additions to the plant and offices have been added, and the address changed to 1900 Hess."
1955 "Lufkin Rule grew to 1,400 employees at the height of operation. An addition was added to the plant. "
1966 Lufkin discontinues making precision tools in November. Pratt & Whitney Machine Tools Division of Colt Industries Inc., purchases the precision tool business in November of this year."
1967 "William G. Rector, president of Lufkin and E. L. Miller, chief executive officer of Cooper Industries jointly announce their merger on June 1st, that the Lufkin Rule Co. was sold to the Cooper Industries Inc. of Houston Texas, and moved to a new facility in Apex, North Carolina. Lufkin has plants in Middletown, NY; Cleveland, OH; Madison, ME; Jackson, TN; Ponce, PR; Guadalajara, Mexico; Cleveland, OH: Madison, ME; Jackson, TN; Ponce, PR; Guadalajara, Mexico; and Barrie, Ont."
1968 The company closed after a short union strike.
1969 The Lufkin Building was sold to Erwin and Max Myers on March 1ST
1985 A fire gutted one of the two three story warehouses in the rear of the twenty-five acre complex on Sunday December 22nd.
1994 "April 26. A fire was set by an arsonist to the main building; half of the building was destroyed; only the bricks were left and some steel I-beams.
1996 June 8. A 16 year old boy fell to his death from a third-floor window of the remaining three story warehouse, that didn't burn."
1997 The state Department of Environmental Quality began demolishing buildings in late June.
1997 August 13. Ed Fehn removed some bricks from the Lufkin Building for Lufkin collectors.
1997 September 12. This historic site is now an empty lot