Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company

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Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1890; 134 years ago (1890) in Chicago, U.S.
FounderArthur C. Newby
SuccessorDiamond Chain
Headquarters
Indianapolis
ProductsBicycle chains
WebsiteDiamond

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.

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]

  1. ^ David J. Bodenhamer, Robert G. Barrows (editors). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 1994 ISBN 0253312221
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Ohio and Indiana". Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. 6 October 1895. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "Bicycles in the Trust". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 24 June 1899. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "A Heritage of Quality and Expertise". Diamond Chain. The Diamond Chain Company. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.


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