Crescent is a brand of hand tools. It originated with the Crescent Tool Company, founded in 1907. The Crescent brand has changed ownership multiple times. It is currently owned by Apex Tool Group, LLC of Sparks, Maryland as part of its Hand Tools division. It is best known for its style of adjustable wrench.[1][2]

Crescent
Product typeHand tools
OwnerApex Tool Group
CountryUSA
Introduced1907
Previous ownersCrescent Niagara Corporation
Crescent Tool Company
Cooper Tools
Websitewww.crescenttool.com

History edit

The Crescent Tool Company was founded in Jamestown, New York, by Karl Peterson and Edward J. Worcester in 1907. It is considered "one of the crown jewels of Jamestown's industry".[3] The company soon became known for its adjustable wrenches.[3]

On his famous 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh said that he took only "gasoline, sandwiches, a bottle of water, and a Crescent wrench and pliers".[4][5] There was a rumor that Richard Evelyn Byrd, on his initial journey to Alaska, had a Crescent wrench in his provisions.[3]

The Crescent Tool Company was acquired by a group of investors from Schoellkopf, Hutton & Pomeroy in 1960 after Marvin Peterson, Karl's son, sold it.[5] The combined company was renamed the Crescent Niagara Corporation.[6] In 1968, Crescent Niagara was acquired by Cooper Industries.[7][8] In 2010, the tool divisions of Cooper Industries and Danaher Corporation formed a joint venture, Apex Tool Group, LLC. The brand is currently owned by Apex Brands, Inc. the intellectual property entity of Apex Tool Group.[9]

Crescent brand adjustable wrenches are manufactured in both Sumter, South Carolina and in China.

Gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ US 1133236, Peterson, Karl, "Wrench", published 1915-03-23, assigned to Crescent Tool Co. 
  2. ^ "Crescent Tool Company: Adjustable Wrenches". Alloy Artifacts. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  3. ^ a b c Crocker, Kathleen; Currie, Jane (2004). Jamestown. Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Arcadia Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 0-7385-3515-X. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  4. ^ "The Crescent Wrench Turns 100". BuildingOnline. 2007-12-12. Archived from the original on 2011-07-08. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  5. ^ a b Fifield, Will (June 2007). "A Century of Success". Costco Connection. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
  6. ^ "Schoellkopf Cousins Continue Upstate Success Story; TWO COUSINS ADD TO SUCCESS STORY". The New York Times. 16 February 1961. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Offer Is Extended". The New York Times. 27 October 1968. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  8. ^ Commission, United States Securities and Exchange (1968). News Digest. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Crescent Tool Company: Company History". Alloy Artifacts. Retrieved 2010-02-07.

External links edit