Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company also known as Diamond is a company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. At one time they supplied bicycle chains for the majority of bicycles produced in the United States.
 | |
 Diamond Chain Company in 2022 | |
| Industry | Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1890 in Chicago, U.S. |
| Founder | Arthur C. Newby |
| Successor | Diamond Chain |
| Headquarters | |
| Products | Bicycle chains |
| Website | Diamond |
Background edit
The company was started in 1890 by Arthur C. Newby and partners Edward C. Fletcher and Glenn Howe. The company grew to provide bicycle chains on 60% of all bicycles sold in the United States. The chains were produced under the name Diamond.[1]
History edit
The company began with four machines and four workers. The only product of the company was chains to for bicycle wheel sprockets.[2] The company experienced growth and began to construct a new building in 1895. The new factory was completed in November 1895.[3] The factory was located where the Hoosier Dome formerly sat in Indianapolis.[2]
In 1896 Henry Ford purchased ten feet of chain from the company. Experts believe Ford used the chain on his first Quadricycle.[4]
In 1899 The company was sold to a bicycle trust under the name American Bicycle Company which was run by Albert Pope.[5]
The Wilbur and Orville Wright operated a bicycle store in Ohio, and they became agents for the company.[2] In 1903 the Wright Brothers had the company design special chains which they used to make their historic first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk.[6]
In 1905 the company was then sold to Lucius Wainwright who had been managing the business. The company was renamed Diamond Chain & Manufacturing Company. Automobiles were becoming popular and the company expanded to make chains for automobiles.[6]
The company still exists under the name Diamond. The company has diversified and they now produce chains for a variety of industries.[7]
References edit
- ^ David J. Bodenhamer, Robert G. Barrows (editors). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 1994 ISBN 0253312221
- ^ a b c Bdenhamer, David; Barrows, Robert G. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. pp. 504–505. ISBN 0-253-31222-1. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
- ^ "Ohio and Indiana". Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. 6 October 1895. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Receipt Showing Purchase of Bicycle Chain for Henry Ford's Quadricycle, May 28, 1896". The Henry Ford. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Bicycles in the Trust". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 24 June 1899. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ a b Hamlett, Ryan (11 March 2014). "The Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Co". Historic Indianapolis. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "A Heritage of Quality and Expertise". Diamond Chain. The Diamond Chain Company. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.