Edward G. Budd

Edward Gowen Budd (December 28, 1870 – November 30, 1946) was an American inventor and businessman. As an employee of Hale & Kilburn, he innovated the usage of stamped steel in the production of railroad cars for the Pullman Company and the Hupmobile, the first steel bodied automobile in the world. In 1912, he founded the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company, and implemented the usage of stamped steel in the production of automobiles. In 1917, he founded the Budd Wheel Company to produce steel wire automobile wheels. He pioneered the fabrication of stainless steel and the shotweld process in the construction of the Pioneer Zephyr railroad cars. His factories converted to the production of steel based wartime materials during both World War I and World War II.

In 1944, he received the American Society of Mechanical Engineers award for outstanding engineering achievements. He was posthumously admitted to the Automotive Hall of Fame and National Railroad Hall of Fame.

Early life and education

Edward Gowen Budd[1] was born in Smyrna, Delaware, on December 28, 1870.[2]

Career

Early career

After graduating from public high school aged 17, Budd went to work as a machinist apprentice at Taylor Iron Works. In 1890, he moved to Philadelphia and worked as a machinist apprentice at Sellers Machines and Foundry Company. He left Sellers to accept a junior position with the Bement-Pond Tool Company. He moved up the ranks at Bement-Pond and became the department head for hydraulic press design.[1]

In 1898, he left Bement-Pond to worked at the American Pulley Company as chief draftsman. In 1898, he obtained a patent for a stamped steel pulley which was lighter and less expensive to produce. He patented his own design for a stamped steel pulley in 1900.[1]

In 1902, he joined Hale & Kilburn to bring his expertise in stamped steel construction to design railroad car furniture. He and fellow employee Morris Lachman implemented arc welding into the production process which allowed stamped steel to be put together in ways that were not previously possible. The lighter and more durable furniture became very successful. In 1904, he became the production manager of the plant and a member of the board of directors. In 1906, Hale & Kilburn partnered with the Pullman Company to design steel railroad cars that were only slightly heavier than wood cars, but less flammable and safer in a crash.[1]

Budd also worked on a partnership between Hale & Kilburn and the Hupp Motor Company to implement stamped and welded steel in the production of the Hupmobile, the first steel bodied car in the world. In 1911, Hale & Kilburn was purchased by J.P. Morgan who replaced much of the management with people that had less experience in metal manufacturing. Budd's ability to experiment and take on innovative but risky projects was limited by the new management. The stress of the new management affected his mental health. He took a two month leave of absence and resigned upon his return[1] in 1912.[3]

Budd Company

On July 22, 1912, he founded the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company, with $75,000 of his own money and $25,000 in investments. He recruited talent from Hale & Kilburn and brought Joseph Ledwinka over to his new company. They began making bodies for metal trucks for a local coal company but soon expanded to making steel automobile bodies for Garford Motors and Oakland Motor Car Company, a division of General Motors.[1]

The business started to become successful and he was able to expand production with the purchase of the Grabowski Wagon Factory in Detroit to allow for production of steel parts closer to the final assembly location. He expanded his business with additional customers including Studebaker and Dodge.[1] In 1914, Dodge placed an order for 5,000 steel automobile bodies and increased that order to 50,000 in 1915.[4]

birth name	Edward Gowen Budd
birth date	December 28, 1870
birth place	Smyrna, Delaware, U.S.
death date	November 30, 1946
death place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
resting place	West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, U.S.
spouse	Mary Wright (m. 1899)
children	5
occupation	Steel product manufacturer
employer	Hale & Kilburn Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Company

Early life and education

Career

Early career

Budd Company

Personal life

Legacy

Further reading

References