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Edward Gowen.

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Fathom Realty PB00068179

Edward Gowen was born in Smyrna, Delaware back in 1870. He studied engineering in Philadelphia taking his knowledge working for the Pullman Company. In 1912, he founded his own company specializing in the manufacture of pressed-steel chassis frames for automobiles.

One of his first clients was the Dodge brothers, they purchased 70,000 all-steel open bodies. Edward was the first person to design the Dodge sedan, virtually ending the open-air touring bodies. It wasn’t long after that the other automobile companies followed Dodge.

During the Great Depression, he pioneered the fabrication of stainless steel, helping to create the Pioneer Zephyr.

During WWII, his company was the original maker of the Bazooka projectile and the rifle grenade.

What you may not know about Edward Gowen Budd, is the company he founded was of course the Budd Company, that company was instrumental in the development of the radial disk brakes and the automatic wheel line. The Budd Company closed its doors in 2014.

Until tomorrow give someone the free gift of a smile

 

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NW Arkansas the home of WalMart, JB Hunt Trucking and Tyson Foods.

 

Come for a visit stay for a lifetime.  

 

URL http://www.sellnwa.com 

Comments (17)

Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

That is quite a history and in a way sad that it all ended in 2014, but what a great run.

Apr 27, 2019 03:39 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

James - the Budd Company was located near where I grew up.  The made the new subway cars in Philadelphia in 1960.

Apr 27, 2019 03:41 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning again James. Some story today. And it all went away....sad I think.

Apr 27, 2019 03:51 AM
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Good morning James,

That is a wide variety of products.

So many BIG Companies have gone by the wayside!

Make yourself an astonishing day.

Apr 27, 2019 04:38 AM
Donald Urschalitz
Lubeck Realty Group - Jupiter, FL
P.A. Realtor ABR RSPS North Palm Beach County

Well you can say he had a great run. Now with the onset of driverless cars we will have new folks to talk about in the near future.

Apr 27, 2019 04:51 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning James. Edward is another creative mind I have never heard of. Thanks for the introduction. Enjoy your day.

Apr 27, 2019 05:27 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

A very inventive man. Thanks James Dray 

Apr 27, 2019 05:42 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Good morning,  James - he was quite the innovator who had a great deal of success in those early days. Impressive. 

Apr 27, 2019 06:06 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

It's very interesting to learn about how things came about, I drove a Dodge, but never knew about this guy.

Apr 27, 2019 06:06 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

HI James Dray - Edward really helped push the auto industry to new heights.

Apr 27, 2019 07:59 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi James- remarkable man. It's a shame the company closed. 

Apr 27, 2019 10:59 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

James,

You keep surprising us with these wonderful facts.  As usual, I had no idea of this gentleman's existence... A

Apr 27, 2019 11:13 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi James,  Thanks for sharing this great story of Edward Gowen.  He really had insight into continuously improving automobiles.  

Apr 27, 2019 03:21 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi James:

I had no clue about any of this! Too bad the Budd Company closed its doors!

Jeff

Apr 27, 2019 04:47 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Another great story, James Dray. Thank you for sharing it with us... 

Apr 27, 2019 08:06 PM
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

To transform the body of the car through a several stage progressive die, the ram of the sheet metal press has to hit on a 10-15,000 ton press. I used to work across the street may be 1/3-1/2 mile away from Fisher Body. Hitting the sheet metal my office desk pencil, paper will bounce with a jolt. These days they are all imported from overseas. 

Apr 28, 2019 07:57 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

The evolution of the automobile has certainly been a haven for inventive minds like Edward Gowen.  And the story goes on.

Apr 28, 2019 08:57 AM