Walden Manufacturing Co.
The Incorporation of the Walden Manufacturing Co. is reported in the January 10, 1907 edition of The Iron Trade Review. Incorporators are noted as Mssrs. Frederick F. Walden and Charles A. Shedd. This announcement from the following week's edition of the same publication also mentions Charles M. Walden as an incorporator. The state of MA reports the official date as 12/31/1906.
The January 1913 edition of Mill Supplies reports the Incorporation of the Walden Tool Company in Boston. Officers mentioned are Mssrs. P. J. Kingley, F. E. Walden, and W. P. Brown. Another interesting note is Frederick Walden's patent #912338 for a ratchet wrench does not make assignment to the Walden Mfg. Co. Rather, it is self assigned. Also interesting is that in March of 1908, Frederick filed for a Canadian Patent on his original ratchet design, which was awarded 1 month later.
Walden - Worcester
This exhaustive article on the history and status of Walden-Worcester was published in the Accessory & Garage Journal of 1920 notes that Mr. Bellows did in fact buy out F E Walden in 1907.
The January 1918 edition of the Automobile Trade Directory carries an advertisement which still lists the company name as the Walden Mfg. Co. It is unknown when the company formally changed their name, but by July of 1919 they were being referred to as Walden-Worcester, Inc.
Here is an interesting, albeit brief corporate history published in the October 11, 1919 edition of United States Investor.
The 1920 Citizens Directory for Worcester lists the following officers for Walden-Worcester, Inc.:
- Lewis E. Bellows - President
- Lyman H. Bellows - Secretary
- Warren S Bellows - Treasurer & GM
A 1927 edition of Automotive Industries announces Catalog number 41.
Walden Vs. Blackhawk
It appears there were in fact 2 courses of action taken by Walden against Blackhawk / American Grinder. The first, in which Walden has been reported as successful, was a filing with the USPTO for trademark infringement. Walden argued, apparently successfully, that American Grinder's Blackhawk trademark infringed on Walden's already existing "Tomahawk" trademark. We are still researching the patent infringement lawsuit.
Stevens - Walden
The July - September issue of the Iron Age first reports the pending merger of Walden and Stevens, highlighting an upcoming stockholder vote at Walden on July 7, 1926 to ratify the plan. Having been successfully ratified, the merger is reported in most August 1926 publications of the day. The new company will be called Stevens Walden-Worcester.
A 1929 edition of Hardware Age announces a major reorganization and renaming of Stevens Walden-Worcester to Stevens Walden, Inc. Officers are noted as:
- Homer W. Bleckley - Director / Pres. & Treasurer & Receiver of Stevens Walden-Worcester, Inc.
- George W. Fleming - Director / VP & Dir. Sales & President of Fleming Machine Co.
- Clarence C. Dodge - Director & Manager of George F. Blake Jr. & Co.
- Frank J. Weschler - Director and President & Treasurer of Baldwin Chain & Mfg. Co.
- Anton W. Schneider - Director and Works Manager for Reed & Prentice Corp.
It is important to note here that the above referenced article also notes that tools will continue to be produced under the Walden-Worcester name.
A 1930 edition of SAE Journal announces the death of Louis Schwab, President of Stevens Walden-Worcester.
January 1930 - Catalog #116
In 1931, The Automobile Trade Journal announces the introduction of a complete line of electric tools by Stevens Walden.
In 1932, Walden opened a district office and warehouse in Chicago.
The Spintite Trademark claims a first use date of September 15, 1923.
In October of 1947, Walden announces their new Boxtite DBE wrenches. This advertisement from Popular Mechanics shows a depressed panel design.
Walden Mfg. Co. (Worcester, MA)
Sub Brands / Trade Names / Trademarks
- Trademark #121,982 not found in TSDR (Wrenches)
- Trademark #288,813 not found in TSDR (Wrenches)
- TEEFLEX (Wrenches) (First Use 6/19/1919)
- Walden (Ratchets)
- Spintite (Nut Drivers) (First use 9/15/1923)
- Chrome Nickel
- Boxtite (DBE Wrenches)
- In-a-Grip (Hex, Set & Cap Screw tools)
- Starwheel (wrenches)
- Pony (Small socket sets)
- Tomahawk (Wrenches) (First Use 6/1/1914)