History of the American Fork and Hoe Company / True Temper Corp. 1835-1967

Book excerpt: The American Fork and Hoe Company and True Temper Corporation have roots that extend back to Vermont in the early 1800s. Early roots trace the company to the Old Stone Shop in Wallingford, Vermont. This shop thrived as one of the earliest agricultural tool forging shops in America. By the late 1800s, the agricultural industry was in full-swing and was influenced by the Industrial Revolution which transformed business and culture. The original firm went onto produce agricultural tools until in 1902, when it was absorbed into a consolidation of over a dozen independent agricultural tool makers to form the American Fork and Hoe Company. The American Fork and Hoe Company continued operating in those original facilities across the Midwestern and Eastern half of the United States in the early 1900s-1930s, until in 1949 it became known as the True Temper Corporation. During that time the American Fork and Hoe became a preeminent leader in development of agricultural implements and broke into the sporting goods industry by selling fishing rods in 1922. It went onto purchase the Al Foss Pork Rind Minnow of Cleveland, Ohio in 1929 and took over that product line. Al Foss products became produced in Geneva, Ohio which became the home to their Sporting Goods Division. The Sporting Goods Division manufactured and sold many things including golf clubs, fishing rods, lures, and additional tackle items including pork rind. The company revolutionized the golfing industry with its tapered steel shaft golf clubs. Sporting goods were manufactured in Geneva, Ohio until production was moved to Anderson, South Carolina by the True Temper Corporation in 1955. This book traces that history, development and production of products, surveys Al Foss history, covers fishing tackle and casting club connections, and discusses patents throughout. It also includes a large collector's materials chapter on Al Foss, American Fork and Hoe, and True Temper fishing lures and boxes. It uncovers why this company was truly and industrial leader over multiple fronts. I sincerely hope you enjoy the History of the American Fork and Hoe Company / True Temper Corp. 1835-1967.