|
|
1881- Seagrave Company was founded in Detroit, Michigan. Frederic Seagrave, a carpenter and a paint maker, produced ladder of a truss design, which were studier than solid beam ladders.
1891- In order to gain venture capital and more manufacturing space, Seagrave moves to Columbus, Ohio and called it home for 70 years. (Original location was West Lane Avenue before relocating to 2000 S. High Street.) 1902- Seagrave introduces the spring raised aerial ladder to replace the muscle power of men turning large screws to raise the ladder. The rest of the industry followed their spring raised design. 1915- The Model K front-wheel drive tractor is introduced. This motorized apparatus replaced horse-drawn steam engines and ladder trucks into. 1925- Seagrave introduces the 350 GPM Suburbanite. This small and maneuverable pumping engine finds favor wherever the quality of the roads prohibits the use of larger and heavier apparatus. 1932- Seagrave’s V-12 engine replaces large 6-cylinder engines. Its additional torque and power enabled large volumes of water to be pumped while reducing the vibration. This was the first engine specifically designed for the fire service and remained in production for 38 years. 1946- The three-man cab is introduced by Seagrave. Firefighters no longer had to ride the running boards. 1959- To meet the demand of some departments for cab forward apparatus, Seagrave returns to the cab forward style it pioneered and used exclusively from 1907-1911. 1963- Seagrave produces the “Eagle’ an aerial platform style ladder. The FWD Corporation acquires the Seagrave Corporation’s fire apparatus division. 1963- The Colombus Division of Seagrave Corporation is acquired by FWD. All operations were transferred to Clintonville, Wisconsin. |
|
|
|
1906- Otto Zachow meets with attorney Walter A. Olen to discuss a patent for the ball and socket
steering joint. A patent is granted two years later. 1909- Badger Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company was founded by Otto Zachow, William Besserdich & Walter Olen. 1910- The Battleship is built and can be seen in our museum. It is considered the first successful four wheel drive automobile in the United States. Walter Olen is appointed as the companies first president (and remains president until his retirement in 1944). Olen is responsible for the major success of FWD. 1916- Punitive Expedition begins. Over 120 trucks needed to capture Poncho Villa. Colonel John “Black Jack” Pershing leads the American efforts. 1917- $65,000,000 military truck order is received from the U. S. Government for World War I. 1920- Luella Bates, a young woman test driver for FWD, crisscrosses country to demonstrate FWD truck. 1943- FWD forms Wisconsin Central Airlines. 1945- Since 1941, FWD has produced 24,000 military earning them Army-Navy “E” on December 13, 1943. 1951- Heavy-duty models continue to be added to the lineup: 35,000 pound GVW Model HC6x6, the 40,000 pound GVW Model HCY6x6, and the 45,000 pound GVW Model MU6x6. 1961- FWD Wagner-Portland, OR. The “Tractioneer” line, based on the newly developed driveline system was introduced. This location manufactured “heavy duty, rubber tired tractors and compactors for agricultural earth moving and construction uses as well as heavy duty rubber tired forklifts.” 1963- The Colombus Division of Seagrave Corporation is acquired by FWD. All operations were transferred to Clintonville, Wisconsin. |
|
|
|
1963- The Colombus Division of Seagrave Corporation is acquired by FWD. All operations were
transferred to Clintonville, Wisconsin. 1963- The full-time six-wheel-drive Tractioneer “Four Season” model and the Tractioneer tri-axle tandem introduced. The tri-axle was the “first truck in the industry; with power applied to all axles through an exclusive torque proportioning drive line system.” 1965- The “Rear Admiral” model features a rear-mounted ladder that allows the longest ladder on the shortest possible overall length. 1968- The ForWarD Mover series is introduced to expand sales for the “over-the-highway market. 1977- The new low profile wide cab is produced. This cab, although new in appearance, still features the same sheet metal over square tubing design that Seagrave pioneered in 1936. 1989- The “T” cab of six or ten firefighter capacity is introduced. This followed the eight-person cab introduced on Seagrave ladder trucks in the late 1930’s. 1991- A heavier 250 lb. tip load ladder is introduced. The older style 200 lb. tip load ladder that had been introduced in 1935 is phased out. 2003- The Company’s official Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC. However, the Company did get a DBA (Doing Business As) approval for FWD Seagrave which means the name could be used, but after 10 years would need to be renewed. 2003- Seagrave sales order #91768 was donated to FDNY and placed in service with FDNY Squad 61. This new Commander II Rescue Pumper was donated through fundraising efforts by Seagrave and its employees, its suppliers, and with donations from the community. The vehicle features an eagle and flag mural with the words “Never Forget.” 2010- Seagrave evolves Marauder cab and chassis to meet 2010 engine requirements. It is available with more than 60 combinations. 2012- Seagrave workers build the largest indoor tilt table in the USA for their new facility. 2019- The company decides to only use the name Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC. |
|
