Adolf Schoepe was born in Berkenroth, Germany back in 1904. In 1927, he emigrated to the United States where he worked as a master metalworker having no formal education in the line of work. He did not speak any English and had at the time only $25.00 to his name.
He worked for Curtis Aviation, moving to Spartan Aircraft and then onto Goodyear Rubber in Akron, Ohio. His job was to install power systems in dirigibles for the Untied States Navy. He advanced through the moves where he found himself as foreman at the Sand Diego Naval Air Station metals shop. He taught welding to women during WWII.
In 1946, he and Karl Rhinehart started their own company, as they say the rest is history. Maybe you’ve heard about the two improvements/inventions he made that are still used by most of us to this day.
In 1946, he began manufacturing the Kwikset line of door locks, ever hear of that one. In 1957, he founded Fluidmaster, Inc., which manufactured an aftermarket toilet repair kit. The last reports indicate they have an 80% market share of toilet tank kits. He finally retired in 2000 when he was 96. He died in 2001 at a young 97. Until tomorrow may your day be blessed with lots of smiles and a laugh or two along the way
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