The Three Tumblers Podcast

Note: The following is a republished excerpt from the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company’s Lockwood – The story of its past, the basis for its future. Published in 1953, and based almost entirely off of literature produced for Lockwood’s 1952 sales convention, it recounts the history of the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company from 1834 until 1952.

By 1953, the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company, then a division of the Independent Lock Company with both being headquartered in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, fielded branch offices in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and Selma, Alabama along with five manufacturing plants in Fitchburg and one in Selma.

We have made no changes to this excerpt and what you see is exactly how it was printed in 1953, albeit in a different medium.

Chapter Two, The Lockwood Manufacturing Company 1888 to 1909

THE NEXT important era of this story was the origin of the Lockwood trademark, which has continued its good name with distinction. The earlier history of the Lockwood Manufacturing Company does not seem to have been as carefully preserved as was the earlier history of Nashua Lock Company, recorded in Chapter One. We do find, however, a folder from “The Master Locksmith,” of March 1930, that gives us some facts that piece together our continuing story.

According to this article, the “Lockwood & Lester Company was organized in 1878.” Money was tight in the early 80’s and it took tried and trusted ability to pave the success of any enterprise. The indomitable spirit of the founders, however, soon won a way and during Cleveland’s Administration, we found the housewives of Connecticut using Lockwood Cutlery and their children playing with toys made by the same company. As the business continued to grow, the firm sought new avenues of expansion.

There is in existence a brochure of many important buildings equipped with Lockwood hardware in those long ago days that are still in use today. Documental letters have been received from many of these users, stating that Lockwood hardware is still functioning remarkably well, considering the length of time it has been in use. Pictures of some of these buildings are reproduced here. By 1909, the firm was again well established in the builders’ hardware business and, while not then the largest producer, its products drew wide acceptance from leading architects and builders of that day.

Piggy Banks, Cap Pistols, Sad Irons; these were some of the interesting items in addition to builder’s hardware, catalogued by Lockwood and Lester in 1887.

Note the “monkey shine performance” of the Monkey Shine Surprise Box.

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Note: The following is a republished excerpt from the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company’s Lockwood – The story of its past, the basis for its future. Published in 1953, and based almost entirely off of literature produced for Lockwood’s 1952 sales convention, it recounts the history of the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company from 1834 until 1952.

By 1953, the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company, then a division of the Independent Lock Company with both being headquartered in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, fielded branch offices in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Chicago, and Selma, Alabama along with five manufacturing plants in Fitchburg and one in Selma.

We have made no changes to this excerpt and what you see is exactly how it was printed in 1953, albeit in a different medium.

Preface

At the 1952 Sales Convention, a Pageant called “Lockwood Marches On” was presented by some sixty employees, executives and younger children of the coming generation, connected with the Company. The effort so far exceeded the hopes of the authors, that by sincere urging it has been re-edited and condensed as an historical record for friends of the Company to keep. It is the hope of the authors, that the reader will catch the inspiration, the human interest and the opportunity found possible only in the free enterprise system of America.

While admittedly, the story as written is designed to record the historical background and growth of the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company, publicizing its struggles and achievements, recording its accomplishments and background, it is indeed more than that. It is a factual case of a brand name that has grown strong, over the years, in a free world. Statistics have been largely omitted, historical dates reduced to a minimum and only a few individuals have been named, so that the main story of Lockwood will stand out stronger.

It is a vital part of Lockwood’s history that back of the founders of the business, at each stage described, were many people who contributed much to the results recorded here. At no time in Lockwood’s history is the truth of the preceding statement better exemplified than as this history is written. However, time and space does not permit paying tribute individually.

The basic consideration in gathering the team that has been put together, has been the “know how” each individual has been able to bring into the organization to develop the policies and products now being offered. Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Company is proud of its assembled team.

The following chapters set forth many of the important stages of the Company’s progress.

Chapter One, Nashua Lock Company 1834 to 1889

Early photograph of the Nashua Lock Company plant and its employees in Nashua, New Hampshire.

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