Willard Rockwell
Willard Rockwell | |
---|---|
Born | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | March 30, 1888
Died | October 16, 1978 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 90)
Resting place | Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh |
Nationality | American |
Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Occupation(s) | Business executive, Engineer |
Known for | Founder of Rockwell International |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Clara Whitcomb Thayer |
Children | 5 |
Awards | Henry Laurence Gantt Medal (1974) |
Willard Frederick Rockwell, Sr. (March 31, 1888 – October 16, 1978) was an American engineer businessman who helped shape and name what eventually became the Rockwell International company. He created and directed a number of major corporations with a wide range of products for the automobile and aviation and related industries. By the 1970s he was a leading figure in American defense industries. "If it moves, we probably made something on it," was his boast.[1]
Early life and career
Born in
Simultaneously he was president of several smaller companies. By 1947, his combined enterprises had 5,000 employees in 15 plants, with sales of over $62 million. He merged them into Timken in 1953 to form the Rockwell Spring and Axle Company, of which he was chairman of the board. In 1958, his conglomerate was renamed the Rockwell Standard Corporation, and became one of the largest suppliers of parts to the automobile and truck industry. It produced a wide variety of automobile parts, such as transmissions, gears, springs, bumpers, and especially axles for trucks, buses, streetcars, tractors and other motorized vehicles. Rockwell was always an engineer at heart; He received several patents, such as one in 1926 for an "improved double reduction and reversing differential axle construction especially useful for bus axles."[3]
Rockwell became interested in aviation after the war, and produced a wide variety of engine parts, as well as a small executive aircraft. Expanding beyond transportation, his companies made meters for the gas and water industries. He also made power tools, valves,
The company became a major player in the
Numerous major corporations brought Rockwell onto their boards, including banks, insurance companies, and railroads.
Family
Rockwell came from a
References
- ^ Ingham 3: 1198
- ^ Galbraith and Webb, 2011.
- ^ See "Double-reduction bus axle US 1571801 A"
- ^ Galbraith and Webb, 2011.
- ^ New York Times, Sept. 26, 1992
Further reading
- Ingham, John N. Biographical dictionary of American business leaders (Greenwood Publishing Group, 1983) 3:1196-99.
Primary sources
- Rockwell, Willard Frederick. The Twelve Hats of a Company President: What it Takes to Run a Company (Prentice-Hall, 1971).