Charles Washburn founded the Wire Goods Company in 1880, moving from Boston to Worcester. In 1911, the Wire Hardware Company was founded in Chicago in 1911, merging with the Andrews Wire and Iron Works of Rockford, Il in 1917. These companies along with another merged in 1922 to become the Washburn Company with operations consolidated in Rockford, Illinois and Worcester, Massachusetts in 1929. In the 1920's, they introduced Androck kitchenware. During World War II, they were one of the manufacturers of the P-38 C-Ration can openers as well as other tools like screwdrivers for the Willys jeep toolkits.
At some point, they began making wooden handles for screwdrivers, apparently using Bridgeport blades.
In 1967, the company was acquired by the Roblin Steel Corp of Buffalo, New York, which closed the Rockford plant in 1973 and the Worcester factory in 1975. The Canadian branch became a separate company. The name got divided among several companies, which continued to use the brand after 1975.
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7 comments:
Androck was a huge brand in Canada. I swear every home has their 1950s turquoise fly swatter haha. Along with the Androck precursor to the “Slap Chop.”
Thank you! The name isn't familiar to me...
I found an Androck screwdriver the other day. It's in great shape except I can tell the wooden handle was red at one time, but there's just a trace of paint left now.
Those Androck fly swatters are simply the best fly swatter ever made, in my opinion. Nothing else on the market today compares, and I really wish they were still available.
I have Two Androck fly Swatters and they are the best! Unfortunately we now have to settle for sub quality Chinese plastic Swatters! Your better off using a Louisville Slugger!
Landed here by looking to replace my Androck fly swatter. Sad to learn they are no longer available. All others I've tried are a waste of resources.
The 1936 Canadian trademark registration for Androck specifically mentions "screw drivers" as one of the goods in category (1), so hopefully that can count towards proof that they did in fact make them. :) https://ised-isde.canada.ca/cipo/trademark-search/0168721?lang=eng
There's also a 1981 trademark which specifically does not mention screwdrivers. https://ised-isde.canada.ca/cipo/trademark-search/0467565
(And the first Androck advertisement I can find that mentions "made in Canada", although it does not have screwdrivers, is in August 1924. https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.N_00400_192408/272 )
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