George Walther Sr. August 13, 1876 - April 10, 1961) is an American inventor, engineer, businessman, civilian leader and holder of more than 100 patents for truck wheels, brake drums, fifth wheels, and landing gear/legs for the trucking industry. He is the founder of Foundry Baja Dayton.
Walther developed the first practical cast steel wheel for solid rubber tires. This is a basic but important contribution to the evolution of the early truck industry and US Army trucks in World War I.
Walther follows the cast steel wheel design for a solid rubber tire with a cast steel wheel design for pneumatic tires and then an improved drum brake design. When the semi-trailer truck was developed, he designed a fifth-wheeled version of the wheel and landed a leg for a semi-trailer truck. Walther engineering skills produce patents for many of the truck wheel developments, brake drums, fifth wheels, and landing legs that have helped expand the role of trucks in the transportation industry.
Video George Walther Sr.
Early life in Germany
George Walther was born on August 13, 1876, in the German industrial town of Steinbach-Michelstadt from Hessen, Germany. The two cities, separated only by railroads, are small: Michelstadt is larger, with 1,500 people, and Steinbach, home of Walthers, has 700 inhabitants.
The sons of Heinrich and Elizabeth Walther, Walther is the number 5 of 7 children. Walther's children, according to the custom of the day, began their apprenticeship training early. Walther was fascinated by the foundry work. He started working on iron casting helping solid iron wheels for miners.
Towards the end of the 19th century in Hessen, Germany, two teenagers, Walther and his brother Jacob, an apprentice apprentice and the other an apprentice pattern maker, dreamed of opportunities in the country across the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1892, the two young men realized their dreams to their father. Many other German fathers heard the same request "We want to go to America." Their father considered the request carefully and then decided that the two boys could go to America to live with his brother, Jacob, in Dayton, Ohio. Their father borrowed money to pay for their travel expenses, signed personal letters as collateral.
Maps George Walther Sr.
Coming to America
Walther was 16 when he and his 17-year-old brother arrived in Dayton, Ohio, in 1892 to live with their uncle. Their initial training as an apprentice moulder and pattern maker at a German foundry factory that makes wheels for miners helps them find work. Within six months, they sent their father the money he borrowed to allow them to come to America.
During the day Walther worked as an apprentice smith at Dayton McHose and Lyon Company stores, a manufacturer of decorative metal and building columns. His brother found work with Barney and Smith, a railroad car manufacturer. After work, Walther attends Y.M.C.A. night school. Then he enrolled in the International Correspondence School, a home letter course.
After being in the United States for the fifth consecutive year required, Walther became a US citizen on October 17, 1899.
It does not all work and does not play for Walther. He somehow found time for active participation in sports. He became interested in sports today: cycling. He is an active cyclist and won a number of prizes in cycling. In 1897 Walther was a 5-mile State of Ohio Champion and in 1899 won the Ohio State 1-mile Champion title with a winning time of 2 minutes 32 3/5 seconds. On the same day, Walther and C.G. Wagner won the Tandem 5 mile race.
Ten years after he went to America, in 1902, Walther returned to Germany to continue his education. He enrolled in the Michelstadt Technical School and spent an intensive year studying. After a year at the Michelstadt Technical School ended, Walther boarded the ship to America and returned to Dayton in 1903.
Walther created his own learning program or his own coop to study foundry business by getting a job at foundry to foundry throughout the Midwest. Walther's personal "co-op" took him to an iron and steel plant in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. He watched, asked questions, and listened to the old casting people... he was studying the foundry business.
Walther became convinced there was a business opportunity in the steel casting business. He knew there were only two steel plants in Ohio and none in the Dayton area, where his brother worked. So Walther returned to Dayton with plans to establish Dayton Steel Foundry Company.
Foundry Dayton Steel
In 1905 Walther and his brother shared with two others, Geo. Martin and Mr. Graham, formed a partnership, each with a thousand dollars. Walther's section is a hectare of land he bought on South Broadway.
Foundry Baja Dayton was built on land that was previously a corn field at the intersection of Miami Chapel Road and South Broadway Street in Dayton, Ohio. The drilling originally consisted of a small shack, ten times eight feet for an office and a small building for foundry opened for work in the spring of 1905.
Drilling initially uses steel container smelting process. The scrap steel steel is melted in the crucibles in the oil furnace. The stove is lined with fire bricks and has a steel cover that is released for melter to take containers with molten steel from the stove. Melter is protected by asbestos clothing and gloves because he must stand on a great heat to carefully take the cup with a brace without damaging it. With several employees, the brothers deal with melting and printing. Many nights, Walther sleeps in a hammock at a foundry plant because he can not leave work.
Convinced that the baby car industry has a good future, Walther and his brother concentrate on small steel castings for passenger cars, many of which are manufactured in Indianapolis and some in Dayton.
After several years, two partners, Martin and Graham, who have more assets than Walther and his brother, feel that their other assets may be threatened as partners at the Dayton Dayton Foundry and are interested in withdrawing from the partnership. Walther then borrowed money to buy two of their interests. In 1909, Foundry Steel Dayton was founded by Walther and his brother with $ 500,000 of common stock and $ 250,000 in preferred stock.
Walther and his brother are constantly looking to improve casting operations. In 1911, Foundry Baja Dayton installed a 2-ton converter and changed from smelting steel which can be smoothed into steel by a converter process. While the Foundry of Dayton Steel made steel castings by the converter process, Walther and his brother monitored new developments in electric furnaces.
Dayton Steel Foundry installed the first electric furnace to make the steel melt by electricity in 1916. The electric furnace was one of the first across the country. As demand for the Raw Steel Wheel increased, the second electric furnace was installed in 1918 and the third in 1922.
Self-starter housing loader
Walther had personal and business relationships with other Dayton business leaders in his day. Among them is Charles Kettering.
Kettering is an American inventor and founder of Delco (Dayton Engineering Laboratories Company). Among Kettering's most famous inventions is the automotive self-starter.
The final step in creating a self-starter is to create housing to attach an electrical system, or self-starter. Housing self-starter must be strong not to crack from bumps on the road. Kettering contacted a new local company, Foundry Baja Dayton. Walther can quickly create prints to create a residential casting to include self-starter.
Kettering explains to Walther that until Delco actually has an order for self-starter, he has no money to pay for his own initial home casting. Kettering offered to give Walther shares of his new company, Delco, instead of money. Walther replied that he could wait. Kettering received orders from Cadillac for Delco self-starter and Dayton Steel Foundry producing thousands of self-starter housing castings.
Dayton steel wheel patent
The Dayton Steel Foundry Company focuses on steel castings for the automotive industry. Sales began to climb and Walther soon spent much of his time traveling the country selling castings for passenger cars.
Around 1910 Walther heard the talk of new vehicles in the automotive - trucking industry. Walther listens to more discussions about trucks, especially at the White Motor Company and Packard Motor Company. Walther reasoned, if Dayton Steel Foundry can produce castings for cars, trucks should offer more opportunities for the sale of steel casting.
Originally a spoken wooden wheel was used on passenger cars and this was used on the first truck. The wheels are not satisfactory, but only the wheels are available. Walther heard that the White Motor Company was looking at cast steel wheels made in Belgium. Walther could see Belgian steel wheels at the White Motor Company. The wheel's view and technical knowledge of Walther convinced him that it would break if it jerked. Walther discussed it with his brother, telling him that he was sure he could design and build a wheel that would not break.
The existing wheels with either 6 or 8 wooden or solid steel fingers will break either from the weight of the cargo or from the rumbling of the mounds on uneven roads. Walther designed the wheel with a number of odd fingers, either 5 or 7, which would be better distributed the weight of the load on the wheels of trucks and axles.
They decided to test Walther's design, and two years later, in 1912, the Foundry Baja Dayton produced a cast cruciform steel-spoke wheel that used solid rubber tires for the White Motor Company. The Dayton Steel Wheel features a number of oddly hollow fingers of steel with a sweeping curve in which the speakers join the rim.
This opens new horizons for Dayton Steel Foundry to an entirely new industry - trucking. The wooden talking wheels are on their way out. Patents were awarded for first practical cast steel wheels for solid rubber tires to Walther and the Dayton Steel Foundry on December 13, 1913.
This first patent marks the beginning of more than 100 truck industry patents to be awarded to Walther and the Dayton Steel Foundry.
World War I - Liberty Truck US Army
One of the first big customers for the Dayton Steel Wheels is the US Army. As World War I forecasts began to rumble in Europe, a faster and better travel mode became a major challenge in Europe and the country. In August 1914, different war councils from the Allies in Europe sent an urgent request to the US for heavy duty trucks. A large increase in the number of trucks required for logistical support in the war against Germany. Trucks are needed to carry supplies; food, medical supplies, and ammunition.
When the war exploded in 1914, the United States Government issued a call for better truck wheels. Walther heard of this and in 1916 was ready to submit his idea to the War Department. Walther has developed cast steel, hollow-spoke wheels for use with solid rubber tires. That's the first of its kind. Walther brought this wheel on the train to Washington where he handed it to the War Department.
The War Department set up a committee to learn how to design and build the best Army trucks. Walther was invited to become a member. This is where he presents his wheels, along with other manufacturers. Two Walther wheels, one with 7 and one with 5 radius tested better than wheels that compete with 6 or 8 radii. The Walther 7 steering wheel became the standard for the well-known North Class Liberty trucks, Class B, and Government four-wheeled trailers. The Walther 5 spoke wheel is used on Class A Army trucks. The wheels are manufactured under subcontracts for White Motors, Mack, General Motors Truck Company and several small companies.
The Standard Liberty B "Liberty" Truck is a US Army vehicle used in World War I. The Liberty Truck is designed by the Motor Transport section of the Quartermaster Corps in collaboration with members of the Society of Automotive Engineers. The production of 3-5 ton trucks began in 1917, and the first model appeared ten weeks after the standardized design. Of the nearly 9,500 produced by 15 producers, more than 7,500 are shipped overseas. The specifications for wheels for Liberty Trucks were identical to the Dayton Wheel Wheels.
At the end of World War I, Dayton Steel Foundry manufactures not only cast steel wheels but also mount guns and other associated castings for the US Government and the Allies. At this time, the Walther brothers began to see the vision of the future for the Dayton Dayton Foundry - truck wheels. The world will soon roll on steel wheels cast by the thousands.
World War I business expansion
After the war, Walther found a ready market for his wheels. Trucks that produce US Army trucks are familiar with the quality of the Dayton Steel Wheel.
Walther endorsed a series of ads in major magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post to promote the Dayton Steel Truck Wheel. Good sales. The success of the US Army Liberty Truck with Dayton Steel Truck Wheels helps a lot to build a good name of Dayton Steel Foundry throughout the trucking industry.
Under Walther's leadership, Dayton Steel Foundry became the largest steel wheel truck manufacture in the world. To recognize this market leadership, Walther announced a contest for truck drivers and fleet owners to get the best advice and ideas to reduce operating costs in motor transportation. The contest is advertised in major magazines like Popular Science.
Companies used and living with Dayton Steel Wheels include: White Motors, Mack, Federal, Brockway, Pierce-Arrow, Garford, American-LaFrance, Trailmobile, Fruehauf Trailers, GMC and many others.
Pneumatic tires replace solid rubber tires
As soon as the war ended, the problem grew on solid rubber tires on commercial vehicles that drove at higher speeds. Walther was approached by Firestone to design and manufacture wheels including a tire rim for the so-called Giant Pneumatic Tire.
Walther has thought of wheel designs for pneumatic tires because the increase in speed of commercial vehicles causes problems with solid rubber tires. He believes that pneumatic tires are the thing to come. He studied everything he had done in the development of wheels for pneumatic tires. Among the war equipment exhibited in Washington after World War I was a double pneumatic wheel made by Michelin Tire Company of France. Walther studied these wheels and those made by Firestone in this country. He feels that both can be much better.
Walther's first wheels designed for pneumatic tires include a hole for the inner tube valve for the pneumatic tire. Walther was granted a patent for this wheel on January 6, 1925.
Walther was dissatisfied with the original wheel design for pneumatic tires. The wheels have limited space for brake drums. In addition, the design is difficult to handle, both in foundry and in machine workshops. George Walther started fixing his new wheel.
Walther's new design allows plenty of room for brake drums and is made for much simpler workmanship and machining. To the owners and truck operators, the new Walther wheel means easier handling in mounting and down from the rims and tires. Patent # 1,665,485 was awarded on this wheel on April 10, 1928.
Walther early cast steel wheels designed for solid rubber tires last for about 10 years. In the 1920s pneumatic tires with deep tires gave a significant performance advantage over solid rubber tires. Walther focuses on truck wheels for pneumatic tires. Over the next 50 years, Walther was given several additional patents for the new and better truck wheels.
Brake drum
During the first 20 years of foundry Dayton Steel foundry did not produce brake drums on a commercial scale. Walther became interested in the development of drum brake design and construction. He studied all kinds of brake drums. He became familiar with the design, construction, and metallurgical issues involved. In the mid-1920s, Walther engineered and obtained a patent for better truck brake drums. In 1930, Dayton Steel Foundry started commercial production of brake drums based on Walther's improvements on the existing design.
Dissatisfaction with cast iron used for brake drums encouraged Walther and his staff to experiment with other materials more suited to heavier weights and increased speed of modern trucks. This research program, under Walther's direct supervision, produced a specially constructed material which, due to the lack of a better name, the company designated "Brake Drum Iron". The stronger, more wear-resistant and hot-stable brake drum drum is molybdenum iron alloy, and with slight changes in analysis, is iron still standard for most current brake drums. Until World War II Dayton Steel Foundry is the largest molybdenum consumer in the world for cast iron.
Fifth landing wheel and feet
Walther, the entrepreneur, observes that semi-trailer trucks carry an increasing portion of cargo trucks. Walther began to work on the design and engineering of the fifth wheel and landed his feet for a semi-trailer truck.
Fifth wheel - for semi-trailer truck
The third major product designed by Walther and manufactured by Dayton Steel Foundry is the 5th wheel. Semi-trailer trucks began to appear on the market in the 1920s and 1930s. The next logical product, after the wheel and brake drum, is the fifth or fifth wheel.
The term 'fifth wheel' comes from a clutch device to install a trailer truck to the truck cab. Basically the wheel is placed in the rear section of the truck, which then has only four wheels, this wheel that is placed on the frame is the "fifth wheel" hence its name.
In 1932, the company introduced the installation of a fifth wheel for trucks. Then in 1941 the Dayton Universal Five Wheel was put into production.
Walther was awarded several patents for an improved design for the 5th wheel.
Landing foot - for semi-trailer truck
The fourth major product designed by Walther and manufactured by Dayton Steel Foundry is landing gear or landing leg. The landing leg works in combination with the 5th wheel, so when the trailer is removed from the 5th wheel at the rear of the truck's cab, the landing foot will be automatically extended to a vertical position to support the front end of the trailer. Trailer landing feet, both manual and hydraulic, are developed and added to the company's product line.
World War II Support
During the interval between two World Wars, Dayton Steel Foundry undertook high quality steel castings, specifications for demanding federal employment for projects such as TVA, and others. Following the example of World War I, the company made a major contribution to the production of war during the Second World War. They make bogie brackets for half tracks, slide guns for mountain howitzers, wheels for tank retrievers and other special applications, truck wheels, government fifth wheel and landing gear.
Expansion - plants and products
After the end of World War II, there was a rapid expansion of the trucking industry in the United States and around the world. Trucks require wheels and brakes and semi-trailer trucks require the fifth wheel and landing feet. This creates a growing market for products manufactured by Dayton Steel Foundry.
Family members join the business
Walther's nine sons and two of his three daughters worked for the company, in different capacities. Walther transformed the leadership company into his first son, George Jr. in 1941.
Walther died in 1961, at the age of 84, but the company continued to grow under family leadership. In the 1970s, Foundry Baja Dayton was one of the largest steel truck wheel manufacturers in the world, with manufacturing operations on several US sites plus four other countries (Canada, France, UK, Mexico) - and licensing agreements with companies in three more many countries (Spain, Brazil, Columbia).
Civilian leader
Walther is active in civil affairs. He is a member of the Board of Directors responsible for building Dayton Y.M.C.A. new. building. He serves members of the Board of Directors for the Hospital of the Good Samaritan. Walther is a member of the Board of Directors for the Montgomery County Orphanage. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Miami Valley Hospital. For several years, Walther served as an Associate Member of the Lay Governing Board for the University of Dayton.
Walther is an Associate Member of the Truck and Trailer Manufacturing Association and a charter member of the Old Timer Club group. He is also a member of the Newcomen Society, an organization of steam men.
Walther has been elected director of various companies. He served as a member of the board of directors for Winters National Bank at the same time when Charles Kettering became chairman of the board of directors for Winters National Bank.
He has become Mason, Shriner, an Odd Fellow and a Rotary Club member. Walther and 7 of his 9 sons presented the program at the Rotary Dayton meeting in 1948.
Personal life
On June 30, 1911 Walther and Katie Rebecca Nicholas were married. They have 12 children: Elizabeth, George Jr., John, James, Gretchen, Jacob, David, Mary Jane, Daniel, William, Richard, and Fredrick.
In 1932, Walthers decided to move their family from their Nicholas Road home to a new home on David Road on the south side of Dayton. A newspaper article reported: "The residence on David Church street south of Dayton has been purchased by George Walther, president of the Foundry Baja Dayton, occupying a 25-hectare site that has the largest private pool in the vicinity."
Memorial and awards
Walther Park - Kettering, Ohio
Walther Park on the Overland Trail in Kettering, Ohio was named to honor George Walther Sr. On land once owned by Walther and near the Walther family house called the "Big House" on West David Road.
Honorary Doctor of Engineering degree
In 1958, Walther received an honor he was proud of. At its 108th start in June 1958, Dayton University awarded Walther Doctor of Honor Techniques.
In presenting the title, Fr. Andrew Seeboldt, President of the University, praised Walther for his numerous and varied contributions to industry, country and society. The quotation says, some "... Walther has been willing to accept the responsibility of citizenship... provides a remarkable example for independent business ownership and free enterprise...... provides active support for every forward movement in the industry he has created such a significant contribution. "
Patent
Walther is the inventor for over 100 patents in which the Assignee is the Foundry of Baja Dayton. Walther patents fall into 4 major truck components: wheels, brakes, fifth wheel and landing gear. The initial patent for each component includes:
- AS. Patent D45.097 Automotive Truck Wheel-for solid rubber tires, Filing date: 18 April 1913
- AS. Patent 1,346,864 Truck Wheel-for solid rubber tires, Filing date: May 19, 1919
- AS. Patent 1,393,928 Truck Wheel-for pneumatic tires, Filing date: February 25, 1920
- AS. Patent 1,473,366 Brake Drum Date of filing: July 31, 1922
- AS. Patent 2,359,499 Tractor-Trailer Coupler Meaning of 5th Wheel Installation, Filing Date: April 9, 1941
- AS. Patent 2,193,049 Support trailer-alias landing gear or landing leg, Filing date: July 29, 1938
Walther patents can be viewed in the Google Contentable Patent Content Database by searching on "George Walther" plus "wheel" or "drum brake" or "fifth wheel"
References
Source
External links
- Main Motor Truck Wheel - Foundry Steel Foundry Co.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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