| | Abstract: | Curtis Industries, Inc. was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1932 by William Abrams and two of his sons, Morris and Howard, as Clipper Key and Lock Co. The company initially sold several brands of key cutting machines throughout the Cleveland area and the Midwest. In 1934, the Abrams worked together with inventor William Curtis to invent a new key cutting machine that they could manufacture and distribute themselves. The machine was patented, and the company changed its name to Curtis Key Co. The company's focus was on key cutting machines and key blanks, which they both manufactured and sold. However, during World War II, the company concentrated solely on defense work and ceased to manufacture of keys and key machines. Following the war, the company changed its name to Curtis Industries, Inc. and resumed its work on key machines and key blanks. The company also began manufacturing and selling automotive and farm equipment replacement parts. In 1961, Curtis Industries built a large facility in Eastlake, Ohio. Previously, Curtis had operated sites on Carnegie Avenue, Prospect Avenue, and East 222nd Street in Cleveland. The new building in Eastlake consolidated all of Curtis's branches and various operations. The new site was considered state-of-the-art and garnered much publicity. In 1961, the Cleveland Chapter of the American Materials Handling Society recognized Curtis with is award for the best materials handling system in Northeast Ohio. Morris Abrams was president of the company, with Howard Abrams serving as vice president and chairman of the board. Following Morris's death in 1963, Howard was named president. Morris's heirs sold their portion of Curtis stock to the Ohio Forge and Machine Corporation, who then made a bid to buy all of Curtis's stock. This resulted in a months-long feud between Howard Abrams and his supporters and Ohio Forge and their supporters, some of whom were on the board at Curtis. Eventually, Howard agreed to sell his controlling shares of Curtis stock. Curtis Industries officially became a part of Ohio Forge and Machine Corp. in 1964. Curtis became known as the Curtis Noll Corporation, under the new president Sanford B. Noll. Howard Abrams was retained in a consulting capacity for five years. The collection consists of advertisements, press releases, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, correspondence, blueprints, and product sheets. | |
