This is the third of four articles about the history of Kohrs Meat Packing Company, Red Ball Ltd HO scale model railroad kits, Bachmann Trains and a replica of a Kohrs Meat Packing Company reefer inspired from a Red Ball kit.
Bachmann has been in business for over 133 years. Starting out as a hair accessory manufacturer they became one of the first model train companies to use styrene for their model products.
1833: Founded by Henry Carlisle, the Philadelphia based company originally fashioned horn, ivory, and tortoise shell into Spanish combs for the Southern aristocracy.
Post Civil War, 1865: The company manufactured other hair ornaments and umbrella handles.
1899: The company merged with a competing company operated by Henry G. Bachmann and his son, Walter J. Bachmann.
1912: Adapting to changing times the company began using a new synthetic material called celluloid to manufacture eyeglass frames.
1914: Henry G. Bachmann passed away. The company changed its name to Bachmann Brothers.
1929: Bachmann Brothers moved to more spacious headquarters at 1400 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. The company continued to specialize in injection molding and was the first American company to manufacture prescription sunglasses.
1941 - 1945: During World War II Bachmann Brothers manufactured products to support the war effort including sunglasses for U.S. Army and U.S. Army Air Force personnel along with protective eye devices and submarine battery caps. The growing company came under the control of J.C. and B.H. Crowther, nephews of the Bachmanns.
Post WWII: The Bachmann product line included Birds of the World Model kits, shooting glasses, and ski goggles. Its popular Solarex® sunglasses were worn worldwide. The company used its expertise in injection molded plastic to enter the model train field with Plasticville® U.S.A.
The growing company came under the control of J.C. and B.H. Crowther, nephews of the Bachmanns.
1948: Kader Industries, Ltd was founded in Hong Kong, and was established to produce models and toys for export.
1960's and 1970's: Bachmann continued to diversify. The product line included: lot cars, toy airplanes, plastic animal sets, robots, and cassette cases. As model railroading became more popular Bachmann supplied everything from trains to scenery to whole villages. They eventually turned to Kader Industrial, Ltd for manufacturing support.
1969: Kader started producing model trains for Bachmann. The two companies worked hand in hand to create quality model railroading products for hobbyist's.
1981: Kader acquired Bachmann from the Crowthers and renamed it Bachmann Industries. Kader has grown to become one of the world's largest manufacturers of model railroad products.
1988: Bachmann introduced its premium Spectrum® line, emphasizing highly detailed, faithfully reproduced locomotives and train sets. The company also created the Big Haulers™ line in Large Scale.
2002: Bachmann was delighted to become the distributor of Thomas & Friends™ in the United States. They now deliver these beloved locomotives, train sets, and accessories to aspiring engineers in both HO and Large Scale.
2007: Bachmann acquired Williams Electric Trains. Now known as Williams™ by Bachmann to expand its offering of O gauge three-rail trains. We are the only model train company to offer HO, N, On30, O, and G scale lines.
Bibliography:
Bachmann Trains, About Us, History of Bachmann Industries, https://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/history.php
Related Articles:
Kohrs Meat Packing Company, 40' Reefer Railcars, A Brief History
HO Scale Model Railroad Railcars, Inspired Replica of a Kohrs Meat Packing Company Reefer
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