COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3546

Power-Driven Handtools

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

14companies1852–1961founding years12still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedThe Stanley WorksFoundedThe Stanley Works
1852
FoundedRobert Bosch GmbHFoundedRobert Bosch GmbH
1886
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedSnap-On, IncorporatedFoundedSnap-On, Incorporated
1920
FoundedThiokol CorporationFoundedThiokol Corporation
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
FoundedHardinge Inc.FoundedHardinge Inc.
1931
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedChemi-Trol Chemical Co.FoundedChemi-Trol Chemical Co.
1952
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedPay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.FoundedPay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
1990
EnvironmentThe Clean Air Act amendments tighten emissions limits.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Stanley Works →
Active · founded 1852
The Stanley Works is a manufacturer of a broad range of tools and hardware for home improvement, consumer, industrial,…
The Stanley Works →
Active · founded 1852
The Stanley Works is a manufacturer of a broad range of tools and hardware for home improvement, consumer, industrial,…
Robert Bosch GmbH →
Active · founded 1886 · Germany
One of the ten largest companies in Germany, Robert Bosch GmbH is best known as a worldwide supplier of automotive…
Robert Bosch GmbH →
Active · founded 1886 · Germany
One of the ten largest companies in Germany, Robert Bosch GmbH is best known as a worldwide supplier of automotive…
Snap-On, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1920
Snap-On, Incorporated is one of the largest and most successful manufacturers and marketers of hand tools, power tools,…
Snap-On, Incorporated →
Active · founded 1920
Snap-On, Incorporated is one of the largest and most successful manufacturers and marketers of hand tools, power tools,…
Thiokol Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1929
Thiokol Corporation is the world's largest producer of solid rocket motors and other parts for the aerospace and…
Thiokol Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1929
Thiokol Corporation is the world's largest producer of solid rocket motors and other parts for the aerospace and…
Hardinge Inc. →
Active · founded 1931
Hardinge Inc., located in the city of Elmira, in Chemung County, New York, which is on the south-central border of…
Hardinge Inc. →
Active · founded 1931
Hardinge Inc., located in the city of Elmira, in Chemung County, New York, which is on the south-central border of…
Chemi-Trol Chemical Co. →
Active · founded 1952
Headquartered in a small, northwest Ohio community of 2,500 people, Chemi-Trol Chemical Co.
Chemi-Trol Chemical Co. →
Active · founded 1952
Headquartered in a small, northwest Ohio community of 2,500 people, Chemi-Trol Chemical Co.
Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Before its 1992 dissolution, do-it-yourself retailer Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.
Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Before its 1992 dissolution, do-it-yourself retailer Pay 'N Pak Stores, Inc.
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