Irwin L. Fife (1894–1971) was an American inventor credited with the invention of modern web-guiding systems from his garage in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[1] In 1939, Fife founded Fife Manufacturing. He received numerous patents for his advances in web guiding and manufacturing. In 1975, Fife Manufacturing became a publicly traded company.

Irwin L. Fife
Born(1894-01-13)January 13, 1894
DiedFebruary 12, 1971(1971-02-12) (aged 77)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
NationalityAmerican
Scientific career
InstitutionsFife Manufacturing

Inventing web guide systems edit

In 1939, a local friend in the newspaper business came to Irwin for help with a high-speed newspaper press. Over the next year, Mr. Fife invented a web guide from his garage in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Fife Manufacturing edit

Founded in 1939 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Fife Manufacturing developed tools for web handling and web inspection.[2] In 1975, Fife Manufacturing Corp. filed for an initial public offering on the stock market.[3]

U.S. Patents edit

# U.S. patent 2,562,026 – Automatic Web Guiding Apparatus (1946) US
# U.S. patent 2,675,988 – Feeler Actuated Valve (1954) US
# U.S. patent 2,904,333 – Turn Guiding Apparatus for Webs (1957) US
# U.S. patent 3,010,438 – Pneumatic Control Valve for Hydraulic System (1961) US

Personal achievements edit

Fife is the founding member of the Oklahoma State University Web Handling Research Center (WHRC) and has been its primary sponsor since it was formed in 1986.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ Michael Koch (25 April 2011). "Fife 70th Anniversary". ISUU. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Company Overview of Fife Corp". Bloomberg. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  3. ^ Stacy Smith Martin (24 March 1989). "Fife Corp. Sold in Multinational Deal Management-Led Buyout Makes City Company Privately Held". NewsOK. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Fife celebrates 70 years". Maxcess International. Retrieved 11 January 2017.