Thursday, October 11, 2012

Two combination wrenches


"MAFAC" is an acronym for "Manufacture Auvergnoise de Freins et Accessoires pour Cycle" (Manufacturer in the Auvergne of Brakes and Accessories for Cycles.) which began in 1947.  Mafac centerpulls were widely considered the finest brakes available from the 1950's through the late 1960s, when Campagnolo started making brakes. Probably more Tours de France have been won by bicycles using Mafac brakes than any other brand, except Campagnolo. 
From 1964 Mafac catalogue.  http://cyclespeugeot.web.fc2.com/mafac64.htm


Otto Henze emigrated from Germany to the U.S. in 1922, gaining employment as a machinist for the Ocean City Reels Company of Philadelphia.  Ten years later, he started the Penn Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company.  He died unexpectedly in 1948, and his wife courageously took over the helm.  A high water mark came in 1955 when all five International Game Fish Association records were made with Penn reels.  By 1990, Penn reels had been used to set over 700 IFGA records.  Happily, the company is still in business.

1956

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