Blackhawk (tools)
{{Infobox brand
| logo = Image:Blackhawk by Proto logo.png
| name = Blackhawk
| type = Hand tools
| currentowner = Stanley Black & Decker
| origin = USA
| introduced = {{Start date and years ago|1919|05|31}}
| discontinued =
| related =
| markets =
| previousowners = National Hand Tool, Litton Industries, New Britain Machine Company, Applied Power Corporation, American Grinder
| trademarkregistrations =
| website = [http://www.stanleyproto.com/ www.stanleyproto.com]
}}
Blackhawk is an American brand of hand tools. It is currently a sub-brand of the Proto division of the Stanley Black & Decker.
History
Blackhawk Manufacturing was founded in 1919 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as a subsidiary of the American Grinder Company (later named Applied Power Corporation). It made automotive tools, such as wrenches and sockets,{{cite web|title=Blackhawk Manufacturing: The Spirit of Innovation|page=1|url=http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation.html#history|publisher=Alloy Artifacts|date=2009-10-30|access-date=2010-03-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017081338/http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation.html#history|archive-date=2009-10-17}} and a number of specialty tools.{{cite web|title=Blackhawk Manufacturing: The Spirit of Innovation|page=5|url=http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation-p5.html#special|publisher=Alloy Artifacts|date=2009-10-30|access-date=2010-03-09}}
Blackhawk introduced a number of innovations to conventional drive tools, such as the "Lock-On" system of locking sockets,{{cite web|title=Blackhawk Manufacturing: The Spirit of Innovation|page=2|url=http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation-p4.html#lock-on|publisher=Alloy Artifacts|date=2009-10-30|access-date=2010-03-09}} gearless ratchets,{{cite patent|country=US|number=1936640|pubdate=1933-11-28|title=Reversible friction clutch|assign1=Blackhawk Manufacturing Co.|inventor1-last=Pfauser|inventor1-first=Edward M.}}{{cite patent|country=US|number=2003155|pubdate=1935-05-28|title=Reversible friction clutch|assign1=Blackhawk Manufacturing Co.|inventor1-last=Pfauser|inventor1-first=Edward M.}} telescoping ratchet handles,{{cite patent|country=US|number=2282148|pubdate=1942-05-05|title=Tool handle|assign1=Blackhawk Manufacturing Co.|inventor1-last=Mandl|inventor1-first=Siegmund}} and 7/16" drive tools.{{cite web|title=Blackhawk Manufacturing: The Spirit of Innovation|page=5|url=http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation-p5.html#716dr-tools|publisher=Alloy Artifacts|date=2009-10-30|access-date=2010-03-09}} Many of these designs were developed by engineers Edward Pfauser and Sigmund Mandl (the latter notable for having founded the Husky Wrench Company prior to working for Blackhawk). Tools from the mid-20th century had distinctive art deco styling and remain highly collectible.{{cite web|last=Raynes|first=Travis|work=Tools in Action|title=Blackhawk Tools – A Well Kept Secret|url=http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/05/blackhawk-tools-a-well-kept-secret/|date=2014-05-23|access-date=2016-03-13}}
Blackhawk also partnered with the Armstrong Bros. Tool Company in the late 1920s through the late 1940s to produce a range of open-ended wrenches under the "Blackhawk–Armstrong" label.{{cite web|title=Blackhawk Manufacturing: The Spirit of Innovation|page=3|url=http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation-p3.html#early-wrenches|publisher=Alloy Artifacts|date=2009-10-30|access-date=2010-03-09}}
Blackhawk also produced Blackhawk Jack brand floor jacks under the Blackhawk Mfg. Co. name including a handy 1-1/2 Ton heavy steel wheeled model.{{cite web| url=https://dailyusedtools.com/best-mechanical-tool-sets/ |title= Best Mechanical Tool Sets }} Monday, 4 November 2019
In the early 1950s, the Blackhawk hand tool line was acquired by the New Britain Machine Company. In the 1970s, Litton Industries purchased New Britain. In the 1980s, National Hand Tool acquired parts of Litton's erstwhile hand tools division, including the Blackhawk and Husky brands. And in 1986, the Stanley Works acquired National Hand Tool, and with it, the Blackhawk brand.{{cite web|work=The New York Times|title=Company Briefs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/01/business/company-briefs-623187.html?pagewanted=1|date=1987-01-01|access-date=2010-03-09}}
Gallery
Image:Blackhawk ratchet.jpg|A Stanley-era Blackhawk round-head ratchet.
Image:Blackhawk quick-release pear-head ratchet.jpg|A modern Blackhawk pear-head ratchet.
Image:Blackhawk mechanic's tool set.jpg|A mechanic's tool set.
Image:Blackhawk satin-finish wrench set.jpg|A set of combination wrenches.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.stanleyproto.com/ Stanley Proto web site]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20091017081338/http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/blackhawk-innovation.html Alloy Artifacts: "Blackhawk Manufacturing: The Spirit of Innovation"]
{{Stanley Black & Decker}}
{{Tool manufacturers}}
Category:Tool manufacturing companies of the United States
Category:Automotive tool manufacturers
Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1919