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{{Short description|Defunct recreational equipment manufacturer}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = American Machine and Foundry
| name = American Machine and Foundry
| logo = Logo - American Machine and Foundry.png
| logo = AMF Logo 1970.svg
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption = Fourth and final logo, used from 1970–1985, still used by AMF Bowling and its successors
| logo_caption = Fourth and final logo, used from 1970–1985, still used by AMF Bowling and its successors
| trade_name = AMF
| trade_name = AMF
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| successor = {{unbulleted list|[[AMF Bowling]]|AMF Bakery Systems<ref>{{cite web|title=AMF Bakery|url=http://amfbakery.com/en/index.aspx|access-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003010/http://amfbakery.com/en/index.aspx|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>|AMF Reece<ref>{{cite web|title=AMF Reece|url=http://www.amfreece.com/|access-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref>}}
| successor = {{unbulleted list|[[AMF Bowling]]|AMF Bakery Systems<ref>{{cite web|title=AMF Bakery|url=http://amfbakery.com/en/index.aspx|access-date=February 18, 2014 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222003010/http://amfbakery.com/en/index.aspx|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>|AMF Reece<ref>{{cite web|title=AMF Reece|url=http://www.amfreece.com/|access-date=February 18, 2014}}</ref>}}
| foundation = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]] ({{Start date and age|1900}})
| foundation = [[Brooklyn]], [[New York (state)|New York]] ({{Start date and age|1900}})
| founder = Rufus L. Patterson
| founder = [[Rufus L. Patterson Jr.]]
| defunct = {{End date and age|1985}}
| defunct = {{End date and age|1985}}
| location_city =
| location_city =
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| equity =
| equity =
| owner =
| owner =
| num_employees = {{ubl|20,200 (1981)|17,300 (1982)}}<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q0_beB9ziGcC&pg=PA318&lpg=PA318&dq=%22AMF+employed%22&source=bl&ots=-yVoIWDtY4&sig=ACfU3U2l97-FCZFD_CJJv6KA3ctY3VUUjw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZ18m-yfv4AhUE-hoKHSKaBnYQ6AF6BAghEAM#v=onepage&q=%22AMF%20employed%22&f=false 1983-84 Miscellaneous Tax Bills--VII]</ref>
| num_employees = {{ubl|20,200 (1981)|17,300 (1982)}}<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Q0_beB9ziGcC&dq=%22AMF+employed%22&pg=PA318 1983-84 Miscellaneous Tax Bills--VII]</ref>
| parent =
| parent =
| divisions =
| divisions =
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'''American Machine and Foundry''' (known after 1970 as '''AMF, Inc.''') was one of the United States' largest recreational equipment companies, with [[Diversification (marketing strategy)|diversified]] products as disparate as garden equipment, atomic reactors, and yachts.
'''American Machine and Foundry''' (known after 1970 as '''AMF, Inc.''') was one of the United States' largest recreational equipment companies, with [[Diversification (marketing strategy)|diversified]] products as disparate as garden equipment, atomic reactors, and yachts.


==History==
The company was founded in 1900 by Rufus L. Patterson, inventor of the first automated cigarette manufacturing machine. Originally incorporated in [[New Jersey]] but operating in [[Brooklyn, New York|Brooklyn]], the company began by manufacturing cigarette, baking, and stitching machines.<ref name=Time61>"Diversified Success", ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', May 19, 1961</ref> AMF moved into the bowling business after [[World War II]], when AMF automated bowling equipment and bowling centers became profitable business ventures. [[Bicycle]] production was added in 1950. The company was once a major manufacturer of products from [[tennis racquet]]s to research reactors for the US "[[Atoms for Peace]]" program.<ref name="National Security Archive">{{cite web |url=http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/nukevault/ebb510/ |title=The Eisenhower Administration and the Discovery of Dimona: March 1958-January 1961 |last1=Cohen |first1=Avner |last2=Burr |first2=William |date=April 15, 2015|website=[[National Security Archive]] |access-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> AMF became a major part of what would soon be referred to by US President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] as "the [[military-industrial complex]]" after World War II.
The company was founded in 1900 by [[Rufus L. Patterson Jr.]], inventor of the first automated cigarette manufacturing machine. Originally incorporated in [[New Jersey]] but operating in [[Brooklyn]], [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], the company began by manufacturing cigarette, baking, and stitching machines.<ref name= Time61>"Diversified Success", ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'', May 19, 1961</ref>

After [[World War II]], AMF manufactured automated bowling equipment, and bowling centers became profitable business ventures. [[Bicycle]] production was added in 1950. The company was once a major manufacturer of products from [[tennis racquet]]s to research reactors for the US "[[Atoms for Peace]]" program.<ref name="National Security Archive">{{cite web| via= nsarchive.gwu.edu |url= http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/nukevault/ebb510/ |title=The Eisenhower Administration and the Discovery of Dimona: March 1958-January 1961 |last1=Cohen |first1=Avner |last2=Burr |first2=William |date=April 15, 2015 |website=[[National Security Archive]] |access-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> AMF became a major part of what would soon be referred to by US President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] as "the [[military-industrial complex]]" after World War II.


In the late 1950s, the company's vice-chairman was [[Walter Bedell Smith]]. He was formerly a US major general, Eisenhower's wartime chief-of-staff, and [[Harry Truman]]'s [[United States Ambassador to Russia|ambassador to the Soviet Union]]. Later he became the fourth [[director of the Central Intelligence Agency]].
In the late 1950s, the company's vice-chairman was [[Walter Bedell Smith]]. He was formerly a US major general, Eisenhower's wartime chief-of-staff, and [[Harry Truman]]'s [[United States Ambassador to Russia|ambassador to the Soviet Union]]. Later he became the fourth [[director of the Central Intelligence Agency]].


Until the mid-1980s, AMF's range of consumer goods included powered [[model airplane]]s, [[ski|snow skis]], lawn and garden equipment, [[Ben Hogan]] golf clubs, [[Voit]] inflatable balls, [[exercycle]]s and exercise equipment, [[Hatteras Yachts]], [[Alcort Sailboats]], Nimble bicycles, [[motorized bicycle]]s, [[moped]]s, and [[scuba gear]]. For a time, AMF owned [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycles. Aging production facilities and increasing [[quality control]] problems in some product lines caused sales declines in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The company's vast diversified output proved difficult to efficiently manage and, after suffering a series of losses, the company sold off its operations.
Until the mid-1980s, AMF's range of consumer goods included powered [[model airplane]]s, [[ski|snow skis]], lawn and garden equipment, [[Ben Hogan]] golf clubs, [[Voit]] inflatable balls, [[exercycle]]s and exercise equipment, [[Hatteras Yachts]], [[Alcort Sailboats]], Nimble bicycles, [[motorized bicycle]]s, [[moped]]s, and [[scuba gear]]. For a time, AMF owned [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycles.
Aging production facilities and increasing [[quality control]] problems in some product lines caused sales declines in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The company's vast diversified output proved difficult to efficiently manage and, after suffering a series of losses, the company sold off its operations.


== Bowling pinsetters and nuclear reactors ==
=== Bowling pinsetters and nuclear reactors ===
In 1943, Rufus Patterson's son, [[Morehead Patterson]], took over AMF. After World War II ended, Patterson determined that the company had to "grow or die".<ref name=Time61/> One of AMF's post-World War II ventures was [[AMF Atomics]]: a division that made "low-dose irradiation equipment" for "the US Army Quartermaster Corps' bulk-[[food irradiation]] program".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.modernmechanix.com/amf-nuclear-engineering-brings-you-advanced-radiation-process-equipment/ |title= AMF nuclear engineering brings you advanced. ..Radiation Process Equipment|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=May 1956 |website=Modern Mechanix |access-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> In a masterstroke of top executive recruitment, Patterson hired top US government cold warrior [[Walter Bedell Smith]], whose leadership positions at [[the Pentagon]], [[US State Department]] and [[CIA]] made AMF one of the pillars of the US military-industrial complex during the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1950s, the company won a contract for designing and constructing "a small 1&nbsp;MW swimming pool-type reactor" at the [[Soreq Nuclear Research Center]] in Israel, which for a short time helped the Israelis conceal the fact that they were also building the [[Negev Nuclear Research Center]] for military purposes elsewhere in the country with French assistance.<ref name="National Security Archive"/>
In 1943, Patterson's son, [[Morehead Patterson]], took over AMF. After World War II ended, Patterson determined that the company had to "grow or die".<ref name=Time61/> One of AMF's post-World War II ventures was [[AMF Atomics]]: a division that made "low-dose irradiation equipment" for "the US Army Quartermaster Corps' bulk-[[food irradiation]] program".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.modernmechanix.com/amf-nuclear-engineering-brings-you-advanced-radiation-process-equipment/ |title= AMF nuclear engineering brings you advanced...Radiation Process Equipment|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=May 1956 |website=Modern Mechanix |access-date=April 17, 2015}}</ref> In a masterstroke of top executive recruitment, Patterson hired top US government cold warrior [[Walter Bedell Smith]], whose leadership positions at [[the Pentagon]], [[US State Department]] and [[CIA]] made AMF one of the pillars of the US military-industrial complex during the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1950s, the company won a contract for designing and constructing "a small 1&nbsp;MW swimming pool-type reactor" at the [[Soreq Nuclear Research Center]] in Israel, which for a short time helped the Israelis conceal the fact that they were also building the [[Negev Nuclear Research Center]] for military purposes elsewhere in the country with French assistance.<ref name="National Security Archive"/>


Patterson encountered a prototype of an automatic [[Pinsetter|bowling pin setter]] in the 1940s. To get the cash to develop the invention, Patterson swapped AMF stock to acquire eight small companies with fast-selling products. After incorporating key features developed by Leslie L. LeVeque,<ref>{{cite web|title=Development of the Automatic Pinsetter|url=http://oldbowling.com/page2.html|website=Old Bowling |access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref> the AMF Pinspotter, was perfected and put on the market in 1952, and helped to turn bowling into the most popular US participative, competitive sport.<ref name=Time61/><ref>[https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1212.pdf US Census] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327074422/http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1212.pdf |date=March 27, 2010}} Most popular sport</ref> AMF became a major manufacturer of [[pinsetters]], bowling pins, [[bowling ball]]s, and other bowling equipment, and owned and operated numerous bowling centers. AMF Bowling Products maintained its headquarters in [[Shelby, Ohio]], until 1988.
Patterson encountered a prototype of an automatic [[Pinsetter|bowling pin setter]] in the 1940s. To get the cash to develop the invention, Patterson swapped AMF stock to acquire eight small companies with fast-selling products. After incorporating key features developed by Leslie L. LeVeque,<ref>{{cite web| title= Development of the Automatic Pinsetter |url=http://oldbowling.com/page2.html|website=OldBowling.com |access-date= May 29, 2018}}</ref> the AMF Pinspotter was perfected and put on the market in 1952, and helped to turn bowling into the most popular US participative, competitive sport.<ref name=Time61/><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1212.pdf | title= 2010 Table: Most popular sport| website = census.gov| publisher= US Census Bureau |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100327074422/http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2010/tables/10s1212.pdf | archivedate=March 27, 2010 | url-status= | accessdate =}}</ref> AMF became a major manufacturer of pinsetters, bowling pins, [[bowling ball]]s, and other bowling equipment, and owned and operated numerous bowling centers. AMF Bowling Products maintained its headquarters in [[Shelby, Ohio]], until 1988.


==Bicycle production==
===Bicycle production===
In 1950, after purchasing the [[Roadmaster (bicycle company)|Roadmaster]] line of children's and youth bicycles from the Cleveland Welding Company, American Machine and Foundry entered the bicycle manufacturing business with its newly formed AMF Wheel Goods Division. After a prolonged labor strike in 1953, AMF moved bicycle manufacturing from a [[UAW]]-organized plant in [[Cleveland]], Ohio, to a new facility in [[Little Rock]], Arkansas.<ref>Petty, Ross D., "Pedaling Schwinn Bicycles: Marketing Lessons for the Leading Post-World War II U.S. Bicycle Brand", Babson College, MA (2007), p. 5 [http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/charm/CHARM%20proceedings/CHARM%20article%20archive%20pdf%20format/Volume%2013%202007/170-179_petty.pdf Article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514091409/http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/charm/CHARM%20proceedings/CHARM%20article%20archive%20pdf%20format/Volume%2013%202007/170-179_petty.pdf |date=May 14, 2013}}</ref> The new plant was heavily automated and featured more than a mile of conveyor belts in six separate systems, including an [[electrostatic]] induction painting operation.<ref>Petty, Ross D., "Pedaling Schwinn Bicycles", p. 5</ref>
In 1950, after purchasing the [[Roadmaster (bicycle company)|Roadmaster]] line of children's and youth bicycles from the Cleveland Welding Company, American Machine and Foundry entered the bicycle manufacturing business with its newly formed AMF Wheel Goods Division. After a prolonged labor strike in 1953, AMF moved bicycle manufacturing from a [[UAW]]-organized plant in [[Cleveland]], Ohio, to a new facility in [[Little Rock]], [[Arkansas]].<ref name = petty5>{{cite web| last= Petty| first = Ross D. | title= Pedaling Schwinn Bicycles: Marketing Lessons for the Leading Post-World War II U.S. Bicycle Brand| publisher = Babson College| place= Babson Park, Massachusetts | year = 2007| page=5 | url= http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/charm/CHARM%20proceedings/CHARM%20article%20archive%20pdf%20format/Volume%2013%202007/170-179_petty.pdf| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20130514091409/http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/charm/CHARM%20proceedings/CHARM%20article%20archive%20pdf%20format/Volume%2013%202007/170-179_petty.pdf |archivedate=May 14, 2013 | accessdate =}}</ref> The new plant was heavily automated and featured more than a mile of conveyor belts in six separate systems, including an [[electrostatic]] induction painting operation.<ref name = petty5 />
Taking advantage of the increase in its target markets in the aftermath of the baby boom, AMF was able to diversify its product line, adding exercise equipment under the brand name Vitamaster in 1950. As demand for bicycles continued to expand, the company needed a new manufacturing facility to keep up with demand. In 1962, the company moved its operations to [[Olney, Illinois]], where it built a new factory on a {{convert|122|acre|km2|adj=on}} site that would remain the company's principal bicycle manufacturing location until the 1990s.
Taking advantage of the increase in its target markets in the aftermath of the baby boom, AMF was able to diversify its product line, adding exercise equipment under the brand name Vitamaster in 1950. As demand for bicycles continued to expand, the company needed a new manufacturing facility to keep up with demand. In 1962, the company moved its operations to [[Olney, Illinois]], where it built a new factory on a {{convert|122|acre|km2|adj=on}} site that would remain the company's principal bicycle manufacturing location until the 1990s.


After two decades of consistent growth, the AMF Wheel Goods Division stalled under the long-distance management of a parent company bogged down in layers of corporate management and marginally profitable product lines. Manufacturing quality as well as the technical standards of the Roadmaster bicycle line - once the pride of the company - had fallen to an all-time low. Bicycles made at the Olney plant were manufactured so poorly that some Midwestern bike shops refused to repair them, claiming that the bikes would not stay fixed no matter how much labor and effort was put into them.<ref>Vandewater, Judith, Vandewater, Judith, "Bike Maker Is on the Road Again", ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'', July 7, 1985</ref> The division's problems with quality and outside competition were neatly summed up in a 1979 American film, ''[[Breaking Away]]'', in which identical secondhand AMF Roadmaster track bicycles were used by competitors in the [[Little 500]] bicycle race. Despite this [[product placement]], the film's protagonist expressed a preference for his lightweight Italian [[Masi Bicycles|Masi]] road racing bike, deriding the elderly Roadmaster as a "piece of junk".<ref>''Breaking Away'', [[Steve Tesich|Tesich, Steve]] (screenwriter), [[Peter Yates|Yates, Peter]] (director), distributed by 20th Century Fox, released July 13, 1979</ref>
After two decades of consistent growth, the AMF Wheel Goods Division stalled under the long-distance management of a parent company bogged down in layers of corporate management and marginally profitable product lines. Manufacturing quality as well as the technical standards of the Roadmaster bicycle line once the pride of the company had fallen to an all-time low. Bicycles made at the Olney plant were manufactured so poorly that some Midwestern bike shops refused to repair them, claiming that the bikes would not stay fixed no matter how much labor and effort was put into them.<ref>{{cite news | last= Vandewater| first = Judith | title=Bike Maker Is on the Road Again| work= [[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]| date = July 7, 1985}}</ref> The division's problems with quality and outside competition were neatly summed up in a 1979 American film, ''[[Breaking Away]]'', in which identical secondhand AMF Roadmaster track bicycles were used by competitors in the [[Little 500]] bicycle race. Despite this [[product placement]], the film's protagonist expressed a preference for his lightweight Italian [[Masi Bicycles|Masi]] road racing bike, deriding the elderly Roadmaster as a "piece of junk".<ref>''Breaking Away'', [[Steve Tesich|Tesich, Steve]] (screenwriter), [[Peter Yates|Yates, Peter]] (director), distributed by 20th Century Fox, released July 13, 1979</ref>


In 1997, the Roadmaster bicycle division was sold to the [[Brunswick Corporation]]. However, it became evident that production of low-cost, mass-market bicycles in the US was not viable in the face of foreign competition,<ref>Sands, David R., "Chinese Bikes Ruled No Threat To U.S. Makes", ''The Washington Times'', June 5, 1996</ref> and in 1999, all U.S. production of Roadmaster bicycles ceased. Brunswick sold its bicycle division and the Roadmaster brand to [[Pacific Cycle]], which began distributing a new Roadmaster line of bicycles imported from [[Taiwan]] and the [[People's Republic of China]]. Pacific Cycle still uses the Olney facility for corporate offices and as a product inventory and distribution center.
In 1997, the Roadmaster bicycle division was sold to the [[Brunswick Corporation]]. However, it became evident that production of low-cost, mass-market bicycles in the US was not viable in the face of foreign competition,<ref>Sands, David R., "Chinese Bikes Ruled No Threat To U.S. Makes", ''The Washington Times'', June 5, 1996</ref> and in 1999, all U.S. production of Roadmaster bicycles ceased. Brunswick sold its bicycle division and the Roadmaster brand to [[Pacific Cycle]], which began distributing a new Roadmaster line of bicycles imported from [[Taiwan]] and the [[People's Republic of China]]. Pacific Cycle still uses the Olney facility for corporate offices and as a product inventory and distribution center.


==New product lines==
===New product lines===
[[File:Break in 261 Mad Av from E36 St jeh.jpg|thumb|upright|261 Madison Avenue, formerly the AMF Building]]
[[File:Break in 261 Mad Av from E36 St jeh.jpg|thumb|upright|261 Madison Avenue, formerly the AMF Building]]
[[File:HD250RR1975.jpg|thumb|1975 AMF Harley-Davidson 250]]
[[File:HD250RR1975.jpg|thumb|1975 AMF Harley-Davidson 250]]
[[File:HD350RR1975.jpg|thumb|1975 AMF Harley-Davidson 350]]
[[File:HD350RR1975.jpg|thumb|1975 AMF Harley-Davidson 350]]
In 1949, American Machine and Foundry developed a [[pretzel]] bender, an automatic baked pretzel-twisting machine that rolled and tied them at the rate of 50 a minute, more than twice as fast as skilled hand twisters. It then conveyed them through the baking and salting process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.modernmechanix.com/machine-speeds-pretzel-bending/ |title=Machine Speeds Pretzel Bending |work=Modern Mechanix |date=February 6, 2009 |access-date=November 28, 2013}}</ref>
In 1949, American Machine and Foundry developed a [[pretzel]] bender, an automatic baked pretzel-twisting machine that rolled and tied them at the rate of 50 a minute, more than twice as fast as skilled hand twisters. It then conveyed them through the baking and salting process.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://blog.modernmechanix.com/machine-speeds-pretzel-bending/ |title= Machine Speeds Pretzel Bending |work= Modern Mechanix |date= February 6, 2009 |access-date= November 28, 2013 |archive-date= December 3, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004024/http://blog.modernmechanix.com/machine-speeds-pretzel-bending/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> To expand its line of recreational equipment, AMF bought W. J. [[Voit]] Rubber Corp. (tread rubber, scuba gear), [[Ben Hogan]] Co. (golfing equipment), and Wen-Mac Corp. (engine-powered toy airplanes).<ref name=Time61/>
To expand its line of recreational equipment, AMF bought W. J. [[Voit]] Rubber Corp. (tread rubber, scuba gear), Ben Hogan Co. (golfing equipment), and Wen-Mac Corp. (engine-powered toy airplanes).<ref name=Time61/>


In 1954, the company acquired Potter and Brumfield, a manufacturer of electrical relays.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/potter-brumfield-inc-history/ "Potter & Brumfield Inc. History"]. [[FundingUniverse]].</ref>
In 1954, the company acquired Potter and Brumfield, a manufacturer of electrical relays.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/potter-brumfield-inc-history/ | title= Potter & Brumfield Inc. History| work = [[FundingUniverse]].com | date = | publisher = | accessdate =}}</ref>


By 1961, AMF controlled and operated 42 plants and 19 research facilities in 17 different countries, producing everything from remote-controlled toy airplanes to [[ICBM]] launching systems. AMF was the builder of the launching silos for the Titan and [[Atlas ICBM]]s, and also developed the [[Peacekeeper Rail Garrison|rail-car launching]] system for the solid-fueled [[Minuteman missile]].
By 1961, AMF controlled and operated 42 plants and 19 research facilities in 17 different countries, producing everything from remote-controlled toy airplanes to [[ICBM]] launching systems. AMF was the builder of the launching silos for the Titan and [[Atlas ICBM]]s, and also developed the [[Peacekeeper Rail Garrison|rail-car launching]] system for the solid-fueled [[Minuteman missile]].


In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the company ran neck-and-neck with [[General Dynamics]] in the construction of nuclear power reactors. AMF sold [[Pakistan]] and [[Iran]] their first nuclear reactors.<ref name=Time61/> [[Peter Karter]] was among the engineers working on the reactors AMF built in Pakistan and [[Iran]] under the [[Atoms for Peace]] program.<ref>''Nucleonics'', McGraw-Hill., vol. 21, 1963, p. 30</ref><ref>"How to Dispose of Radioactive Wastes", Peter Karter, ''Electric Light & Power'', 1967, Page 3</ref><ref>"Mastermind of the MRF". Logsdon, Gene. BioCycle. Emmaus: April 1993. Vol. 34, Iss. 4; pg. 49, ff.</ref>
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the company ran neck-and-neck with [[General Dynamics]] in the construction of nuclear power reactors. AMF sold [[Pakistan]] and [[Iran]] their first nuclear reactors.<ref name= Time61/> [[Peter Karter]] was among the engineers working on the reactors AMF built in Pakistan and [[Iran]] under the [[Atoms for Peace]] program.<ref>{{cite book | title =Nucleonics| publisher =McGraw-Hill| volume= 21| year= 1963| page= 30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title= How to Dispose of Radioactive Wastes| first= Peter | last= Karter| work = Electric Light & Power| year= 1967| page= 3}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | title = Mastermind of the MRF| last= Logsdon| first= Gene| magazine=BioCycle| publisher= Emmaus| date= April 1993| volume= 34| number=4| page= 49}}</ref>


In 1953, company headquarters moved into a new [[International Style (architecture)|International Style]]-office tower at 261 Madison Avenue. Given naming rights, the AMF logo appeared in the Manhattan skyline. The bowling division ultimately outgrew the space and in 1960 moved to Long Island ([[Westbury, New York]]); corporate headquarters was relocated in 1971 to [[White Plains, New York]].
In 1953, company headquarters moved into a new [[International Style (architecture)|International Style]]-office tower at 261 Madison Avenue. Given naming rights, the AMF logo appeared in the Manhattan skyline. The bowling division ultimately outgrew the space and in 1960 moved to Long Island ([[Westbury, New York]]); corporate headquarters was relocated in 1971 to [[White Plains, New York]].
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In the early 1960s, American Machine and Foundry partnered with the French company [[SAFEGE]] to design, construct and market a [[monorail]] for American cities. The AMF Monorail was exhibited at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]], where it traversed a continuous elevated loop around the amusement section of the fair. It was displayed as a practical form of future transportation.
In the early 1960s, American Machine and Foundry partnered with the French company [[SAFEGE]] to design, construct and market a [[monorail]] for American cities. The AMF Monorail was exhibited at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]], where it traversed a continuous elevated loop around the amusement section of the fair. It was displayed as a practical form of future transportation.


In 1971, American Machine and Foundry was renamed AMF. For many years, the company produced a wide variety of sport and leisure equipment, including Roadmaster bicycles, [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycles (1969–1981), [[Head (company)|Head]] snow skis and tennis racquets (1969–1985), snowmobiles, lawn and garden equipment, (including manufacturing for [[Craftsman (tools)|Sears Craftsman]]. The models typically start with "536") [[Ben Hogan Golf Company|Ben Hogan]] golf clubs (1960–1985), [[Voit]] inflatable balls, [[exercise equipment]] (including [[exercycle]]s), [[motorized bicycle]]s, [[mopeds]], SlickCraft powerboats (1969–80), Alcort sailboats (including the [[Sunfish (dinghy)|Sunfish]] and the [[Hilu]]; 1969–86), [[Hatteras Yachts]], and [[Scuba set|scuba gear]].
In 1971, American Machine and Foundry was renamed AMF. For many years, the company produced a wide variety of sport and leisure equipment, including Roadmaster bicycles, [[Harley-Davidson]] motorcycles (1969–1981), [[Head (company)|Head]] snow skis and tennis racquets (1969–1985), snowmobiles, lawn and garden equipment, (including manufacturing for [[Craftsman (tools)|Sears Craftsman]]. The models typically start with "536") [[Ben Hogan Golf Company|Ben Hogan]] golf clubs (1960–1985), [[Voit]] inflatable balls, [[exercise equipment]] (including [[exercycle]]s), [[motorized bicycle]]s, [[moped]]s, SlickCraft powerboats (1969–80), Alcort sailboats (including the [[Sunfish (dinghy)|Sunfish]] and the [[Hilu]]; 1969–86), [[Hatteras Yachts]], and [[Scuba set|scuba gear]].


In the late 1970s, in a reference to its numerous leisure product lines, the company began a TV advertising campaign centered on the slogan "AMF, we make weekends". For a short time, the company owned [[DeWalt|Dewalt Tools]] (1949–1960), and manufactured [[gymnastics]] equipment under the AMF brand. The gymnastics division was later spun off to form American Athletic (AAI) which used the same logo as AMF but with different text. New and improved exercycles, such as the Computrim line, the first to incorporate an [[Heart rate monitor|electronic heart monitor]], were introduced. AMF also acquired a recreational motor home division named [[Atlas Recreational Vehicles]] of [[Mason City, Iowa]], which was disbanded after heavy losses following the fuel crisis of the early 1970s.
In the late 1970s, in a reference to its numerous leisure product lines, the company began a TV advertising campaign centered on the slogan "AMF, we make weekends". For a short time, the company owned [[DeWalt|Dewalt Tools]] (1949–1960), and manufactured [[gymnastics]] equipment under the AMF brand. The gymnastics division was later spun off to form American Athletic (AAI) which used the same logo as AMF but with different text. New and improved exercycles, such as the Computrim line, the first to incorporate an [[Heart rate monitor|electronic heart monitor]], were introduced. AMF also acquired a recreational motor home division named [[Atlas Recreational Vehicles]] of [[Mason City, Iowa]], which was disbanded after heavy losses following the fuel crisis of the early 1970s.


For a while the company made [[time switch]]es, taking over the UK company Venner in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/American_Machine_and_Foundry_Co|title=American Machine and Foundry Co|website=Grace's Guide |access-date=July 17, 2016}}</ref>
For a while the company made [[time switch]]es, taking over the UK company Venner in 1970.<ref>{{Cite web| url= http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/American_Machine_and_Foundry_Co|title=American Machine and Foundry Co| website= Grace's Guide |access-date= July 17, 2016}}</ref>


==Decline==
===Decline===
By the late 1970s, the company encountered difficulties. The absence of stable management (the company had seven presidents between 1972 and 1982), aging production facilities, rising labor costs, and the inability of AMF to operate efficiently and control its many product divisions from headquarters in White Plains, New York, contributed to a steady decline in sales and profits. Unlike large Japanese corporations such as [[Panasonic|Matsushita Electric Industrial]], which had a standing corporate policy of discontinuing any product line or division in which they were not able to stay in first or second place in total market sales, AMF continued a practice of purchasing new companies in unfamiliar markets, while simultaneously failing to reorganize and modernize its core operations.<ref>[http://www.yellowjersey.org/pana.html Panasonic Bicycles] Yellow Jersey 2007</ref> As a result, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company lost an average of $8 million per year. Some subsidiaries were sold, including [[Harley-Davidson]] in 1981.
By the late 1970s, the company encountered difficulties. The absence of stable management (the company had seven presidents between 1972 and 1982), aging production facilities, rising labor costs, and the inability of AMF to operate efficiently and control its many product divisions from headquarters in White Plains, New York, contributed to a steady decline in sales and profits. Unlike large Japanese corporations such as [[Matsushita Electric Industrial]] (owners of the brand [[Panasonic]]), which had a standing corporate policy of discontinuing any product line or division in which they were not able to stay in first or second place in total market sales, AMF continued a practice of purchasing new companies in unfamiliar markets, while simultaneously failing to reorganize and modernize its core operations.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.yellowjersey.org/pana.html |title= Panasonic Bicycles| website= YellowJersey.org | publisher= | year= 2007| accessdate =}}</ref> As a result, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company lost an average of $8 million per year. Some subsidiaries were sold, including [[Harley-Davidson]] in 1981.


For a time, the Italian [[scuba diving]] equipment manufacturer [[Mares (scuba equipment)|Mares]] was part of AMF, and was able to secure the rights to the MR-12 [[Diving regulator|regulator]], previously made by Voit, and to continue manufacture of the regulator. Mares would revert to being an independent manufacturer after AMF was sold. It eventually became part of a worldwide consortium of sports equipment companies, including another former AMF division, Head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Head-NV-Company-History.html|title=History of Head N.V.|website=FundingUniverse |access-date=April 18, 2018}}</ref>
For a time, the Italian [[scuba diving]] equipment manufacturer [[Mares (scuba equipment)|Mares]] was part of AMF, and was able to secure the rights to the MR-12 [[Diving regulator|regulator]], previously made by Voit, and to continue manufacture of the regulator. Mares would revert to being an independent manufacturer after AMF was sold. It eventually became part of a worldwide consortium of sports equipment companies, including another former AMF division, Head.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Head-NV-Company-History.html |title=History of Head N.V.| website=FundingUniverse.com |access-date=April 18, 2018}}</ref>


In 1985, AMF was acquired through [[hostile takeover]] by Minstar Inc., a [[Minneapolis]]-based [[holding company]] controlled by investor [[Irwin L. Jacobs]], and Jacobs began selling off its various divisions.<ref>{{cite news |title= AMF Agrees to Offer By Jacobs of $24 a Share |first= Lee A. |last= Daniels |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/15/business/amf-agrees-to-offer-by-jacobs-of-24-a-share.html |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] |date=June 15, 1985 |access-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> Commonwealth Ventures, a group of private investors in [[Richmond, Virginia]], paid $225 million to purchase AMF's bowling centers and bowling products divisions in 1985 to form AMF Bowling Companies, Inc. (later known as [[AMF Bowling|AMF Bowling Worldwide]]).<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=AMF Bowling, Inc. History|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/amf-bowling-inc-history/|website=FundingUniverse |access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref>
In 1985, AMF was acquired through [[hostile takeover]] by Minstar Inc., a [[Minneapolis]]-based [[holding company]] controlled by investor [[Irwin L. Jacobs]], and Jacobs began selling off its various divisions.<ref>{{cite news |title= AMF Agrees to Offer By Jacobs of $24 a Share |first= Lee A. |last= Daniels |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1985/06/15/business/amf-agrees-to-offer-by-jacobs-of-24-a-share.html |work= [[The New York Times]] |date=June 15, 1985 |access-date=July 27, 2011}}</ref> Commonwealth Ventures, a group of private investors in [[Richmond, Virginia]], paid $225 million to purchase AMF's bowling centers and bowling products divisions in 1985 to form AMF Bowling Companies, Inc. (later known as [[AMF Bowling|AMF Bowling Worldwide]]).<ref name="history">{{cite web|title=AMF Bowling, Inc. History| url= http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/amf-bowling-inc-history/| website= FundingUniverse.com |access-date=May 29, 2018}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 95: Line 99:
*[http://oldbowling.com/page2.html Development of the Automatic Pinsetter]
*[http://oldbowling.com/page2.html Development of the Automatic Pinsetter]
*[http://www.nywf64.com/amf01.shtml nywf64.com (1964/1965 New York World's Fair Website) story of the AMF Monorail]
*[http://www.nywf64.com/amf01.shtml nywf64.com (1964/1965 New York World's Fair Website) story of the AMF Monorail]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070223193622/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=americanmachinefoundrybuilding-newyorkcity-ny-usa AMF Building in New York City]
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070223193622/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=americanmachinefoundrybuilding-newyorkcity-ny-usa AMF Building in New York City]}}
*[http://blog.modernmechanix.com/amf-nuclear-engineering-brings-you-advanced-radiation-process-equipment Reprint of ad for AMF Atomics, ''Scientific American'', May, 1956]
*[http://blog.modernmechanix.com/amf-nuclear-engineering-brings-you-advanced-radiation-process-equipment Reprint of ad for AMF Atomics, ''Scientific American'', May, 1956]


Line 104: Line 108:
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Machine And Foundry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:American Machine And Foundry}}
[[Category:American Machine and Foundry]]
[[Category:American Machine and Foundry]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1900]]
[[Category:Conglomerate companies established in 1900]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1985]]
[[Category:Companies disestablished in 1985]]
[[Category:1900 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:1985 disestablishments in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 23:36, 3 September 2024

American Machine and Foundry
AMF
Company typePrivate
FoundedBrooklyn, New York (1900; 124 years ago (1900))
FounderRufus L. Patterson Jr.
Defunct1985; 39 years ago (1985)
FateAssets sold off to other companies
Successor
Number of employees
  • 20,200 (1981)
  • 17,300 (1982)
[3]

American Machine and Foundry (known after 1970 as AMF, Inc.) was one of the United States' largest recreational equipment companies, with diversified products as disparate as garden equipment, atomic reactors, and yachts.

History

[edit]

The company was founded in 1900 by Rufus L. Patterson Jr., inventor of the first automated cigarette manufacturing machine. Originally incorporated in New Jersey but operating in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the company began by manufacturing cigarette, baking, and stitching machines.[4]

After World War II, AMF manufactured automated bowling equipment, and bowling centers became profitable business ventures. Bicycle production was added in 1950. The company was once a major manufacturer of products from tennis racquets to research reactors for the US "Atoms for Peace" program.[5] AMF became a major part of what would soon be referred to by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower as "the military-industrial complex" after World War II.

In the late 1950s, the company's vice-chairman was Walter Bedell Smith. He was formerly a US major general, Eisenhower's wartime chief-of-staff, and Harry Truman's ambassador to the Soviet Union. Later he became the fourth director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Until the mid-1980s, AMF's range of consumer goods included powered model airplanes, snow skis, lawn and garden equipment, Ben Hogan golf clubs, Voit inflatable balls, exercycles and exercise equipment, Hatteras Yachts, Alcort Sailboats, Nimble bicycles, motorized bicycles, mopeds, and scuba gear. For a time, AMF owned Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Aging production facilities and increasing quality control problems in some product lines caused sales declines in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The company's vast diversified output proved difficult to efficiently manage and, after suffering a series of losses, the company sold off its operations.

Bowling pinsetters and nuclear reactors

[edit]

In 1943, Patterson's son, Morehead Patterson, took over AMF. After World War II ended, Patterson determined that the company had to "grow or die".[4] One of AMF's post-World War II ventures was AMF Atomics: a division that made "low-dose irradiation equipment" for "the US Army Quartermaster Corps' bulk-food irradiation program".[6] In a masterstroke of top executive recruitment, Patterson hired top US government cold warrior Walter Bedell Smith, whose leadership positions at the Pentagon, US State Department and CIA made AMF one of the pillars of the US military-industrial complex during the 1950s and 1960s. In the late 1950s, the company won a contract for designing and constructing "a small 1 MW swimming pool-type reactor" at the Soreq Nuclear Research Center in Israel, which for a short time helped the Israelis conceal the fact that they were also building the Negev Nuclear Research Center for military purposes elsewhere in the country with French assistance.[5]

Patterson encountered a prototype of an automatic bowling pin setter in the 1940s. To get the cash to develop the invention, Patterson swapped AMF stock to acquire eight small companies with fast-selling products. After incorporating key features developed by Leslie L. LeVeque,[7] the AMF Pinspotter was perfected and put on the market in 1952, and helped to turn bowling into the most popular US participative, competitive sport.[4][8] AMF became a major manufacturer of pinsetters, bowling pins, bowling balls, and other bowling equipment, and owned and operated numerous bowling centers. AMF Bowling Products maintained its headquarters in Shelby, Ohio, until 1988.

Bicycle production

[edit]

In 1950, after purchasing the Roadmaster line of children's and youth bicycles from the Cleveland Welding Company, American Machine and Foundry entered the bicycle manufacturing business with its newly formed AMF Wheel Goods Division. After a prolonged labor strike in 1953, AMF moved bicycle manufacturing from a UAW-organized plant in Cleveland, Ohio, to a new facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.[9] The new plant was heavily automated and featured more than a mile of conveyor belts in six separate systems, including an electrostatic induction painting operation.[9]

Taking advantage of the increase in its target markets in the aftermath of the baby boom, AMF was able to diversify its product line, adding exercise equipment under the brand name Vitamaster in 1950. As demand for bicycles continued to expand, the company needed a new manufacturing facility to keep up with demand. In 1962, the company moved its operations to Olney, Illinois, where it built a new factory on a 122-acre (0.49 km2) site that would remain the company's principal bicycle manufacturing location until the 1990s.

After two decades of consistent growth, the AMF Wheel Goods Division stalled under the long-distance management of a parent company bogged down in layers of corporate management and marginally profitable product lines. Manufacturing quality as well as the technical standards of the Roadmaster bicycle line — once the pride of the company — had fallen to an all-time low. Bicycles made at the Olney plant were manufactured so poorly that some Midwestern bike shops refused to repair them, claiming that the bikes would not stay fixed no matter how much labor and effort was put into them.[10] The division's problems with quality and outside competition were neatly summed up in a 1979 American film, Breaking Away, in which identical secondhand AMF Roadmaster track bicycles were used by competitors in the Little 500 bicycle race. Despite this product placement, the film's protagonist expressed a preference for his lightweight Italian Masi road racing bike, deriding the elderly Roadmaster as a "piece of junk".[11]

In 1997, the Roadmaster bicycle division was sold to the Brunswick Corporation. However, it became evident that production of low-cost, mass-market bicycles in the US was not viable in the face of foreign competition,[12] and in 1999, all U.S. production of Roadmaster bicycles ceased. Brunswick sold its bicycle division and the Roadmaster brand to Pacific Cycle, which began distributing a new Roadmaster line of bicycles imported from Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. Pacific Cycle still uses the Olney facility for corporate offices and as a product inventory and distribution center.

New product lines

[edit]
261 Madison Avenue, formerly the AMF Building
1975 AMF Harley-Davidson 250
1975 AMF Harley-Davidson 350

In 1949, American Machine and Foundry developed a pretzel bender, an automatic baked pretzel-twisting machine that rolled and tied them at the rate of 50 a minute, more than twice as fast as skilled hand twisters. It then conveyed them through the baking and salting process.[13] To expand its line of recreational equipment, AMF bought W. J. Voit Rubber Corp. (tread rubber, scuba gear), Ben Hogan Co. (golfing equipment), and Wen-Mac Corp. (engine-powered toy airplanes).[4]

In 1954, the company acquired Potter and Brumfield, a manufacturer of electrical relays.[14]

By 1961, AMF controlled and operated 42 plants and 19 research facilities in 17 different countries, producing everything from remote-controlled toy airplanes to ICBM launching systems. AMF was the builder of the launching silos for the Titan and Atlas ICBMs, and also developed the rail-car launching system for the solid-fueled Minuteman missile.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the company ran neck-and-neck with General Dynamics in the construction of nuclear power reactors. AMF sold Pakistan and Iran their first nuclear reactors.[4] Peter Karter was among the engineers working on the reactors AMF built in Pakistan and Iran under the Atoms for Peace program.[15][16][17]

In 1953, company headquarters moved into a new International Style-office tower at 261 Madison Avenue. Given naming rights, the AMF logo appeared in the Manhattan skyline. The bowling division ultimately outgrew the space and in 1960 moved to Long Island (Westbury, New York); corporate headquarters was relocated in 1971 to White Plains, New York.

In the early 1960s, American Machine and Foundry partnered with the French company SAFEGE to design, construct and market a monorail for American cities. The AMF Monorail was exhibited at the 1964 New York World's Fair, where it traversed a continuous elevated loop around the amusement section of the fair. It was displayed as a practical form of future transportation.

In 1971, American Machine and Foundry was renamed AMF. For many years, the company produced a wide variety of sport and leisure equipment, including Roadmaster bicycles, Harley-Davidson motorcycles (1969–1981), Head snow skis and tennis racquets (1969–1985), snowmobiles, lawn and garden equipment, (including manufacturing for Sears Craftsman. The models typically start with "536") Ben Hogan golf clubs (1960–1985), Voit inflatable balls, exercise equipment (including exercycles), motorized bicycles, mopeds, SlickCraft powerboats (1969–80), Alcort sailboats (including the Sunfish and the Hilu; 1969–86), Hatteras Yachts, and scuba gear.

In the late 1970s, in a reference to its numerous leisure product lines, the company began a TV advertising campaign centered on the slogan "AMF, we make weekends". For a short time, the company owned Dewalt Tools (1949–1960), and manufactured gymnastics equipment under the AMF brand. The gymnastics division was later spun off to form American Athletic (AAI) which used the same logo as AMF but with different text. New and improved exercycles, such as the Computrim line, the first to incorporate an electronic heart monitor, were introduced. AMF also acquired a recreational motor home division named Atlas Recreational Vehicles of Mason City, Iowa, which was disbanded after heavy losses following the fuel crisis of the early 1970s.

For a while the company made time switches, taking over the UK company Venner in 1970.[18]

Decline

[edit]

By the late 1970s, the company encountered difficulties. The absence of stable management (the company had seven presidents between 1972 and 1982), aging production facilities, rising labor costs, and the inability of AMF to operate efficiently and control its many product divisions from headquarters in White Plains, New York, contributed to a steady decline in sales and profits. Unlike large Japanese corporations such as Matsushita Electric Industrial (owners of the brand Panasonic), which had a standing corporate policy of discontinuing any product line or division in which they were not able to stay in first or second place in total market sales, AMF continued a practice of purchasing new companies in unfamiliar markets, while simultaneously failing to reorganize and modernize its core operations.[19] As a result, during the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company lost an average of $8 million per year. Some subsidiaries were sold, including Harley-Davidson in 1981.

For a time, the Italian scuba diving equipment manufacturer Mares was part of AMF, and was able to secure the rights to the MR-12 regulator, previously made by Voit, and to continue manufacture of the regulator. Mares would revert to being an independent manufacturer after AMF was sold. It eventually became part of a worldwide consortium of sports equipment companies, including another former AMF division, Head.[20]

In 1985, AMF was acquired through hostile takeover by Minstar Inc., a Minneapolis-based holding company controlled by investor Irwin L. Jacobs, and Jacobs began selling off its various divisions.[21] Commonwealth Ventures, a group of private investors in Richmond, Virginia, paid $225 million to purchase AMF's bowling centers and bowling products divisions in 1985 to form AMF Bowling Companies, Inc. (later known as AMF Bowling Worldwide).[22]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "AMF Bakery". Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "AMF Reece". Retrieved February 18, 2014.
  3. ^ 1983-84 Miscellaneous Tax Bills--VII
  4. ^ a b c d e "Diversified Success", Time, May 19, 1961
  5. ^ a b Cohen, Avner; Burr, William (April 15, 2015). "The Eisenhower Administration and the Discovery of Dimona: March 1958-January 1961". National Security Archive. Retrieved April 17, 2015 – via nsarchive.gwu.edu.
  6. ^ "AMF nuclear engineering brings you advanced...Radiation Process Equipment". Modern Mechanix. May 1956. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Development of the Automatic Pinsetter". OldBowling.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  8. ^ "2010 Table: Most popular sport" (PDF). census.gov. US Census Bureau. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2010.
  9. ^ a b Petty, Ross D. (2007). "Pedaling Schwinn Bicycles: Marketing Lessons for the Leading Post-World War II U.S. Bicycle Brand" (PDF). Babson Park, Massachusetts: Babson College. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2013.
  10. ^ Vandewater, Judith (July 7, 1985). "Bike Maker Is on the Road Again". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  11. ^ Breaking Away, Tesich, Steve (screenwriter), Yates, Peter (director), distributed by 20th Century Fox, released July 13, 1979
  12. ^ Sands, David R., "Chinese Bikes Ruled No Threat To U.S. Makes", The Washington Times, June 5, 1996
  13. ^ "Machine Speeds Pretzel Bending". Modern Mechanix. February 6, 2009. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
  14. ^ "Potter & Brumfield Inc. History". FundingUniverse.com.
  15. ^ Nucleonics. Vol. 21. McGraw-Hill. 1963. p. 30.
  16. ^ Karter, Peter (1967). "How to Dispose of Radioactive Wastes". Electric Light & Power. p. 3.
  17. ^ Logsdon, Gene (April 1993). "Mastermind of the MRF". BioCycle. Vol. 34, no. 4. Emmaus. p. 49.
  18. ^ "American Machine and Foundry Co". Grace's Guide. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  19. ^ "Panasonic Bicycles". YellowJersey.org. 2007.
  20. ^ "History of Head N.V." FundingUniverse.com. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  21. ^ Daniels, Lee A. (June 15, 1985). "AMF Agrees to Offer By Jacobs of $24 a Share". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2011.
  22. ^ "AMF Bowling, Inc. History". FundingUniverse.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
[edit]