Note: The Icon acquired a manuscript titled “A Brief History of Bluffton’s Industrial Developments.” This publication was prepared by the classes in Marketing and Small Business Administration from Bluffton College, under the director of Dr. Howard Raid. Publication date is May 1959. We’ve updated some current addresses so viewers may identify locations.

Hacker Manufacturing Co.
Founded 1929 by George Hacker

A wood novelty products company, known as Hackler Manufacturing Co., was founded by George Hacker, native of Cleveland, in 1929.

The simple breadboard idea originated with Mr. Hacker. First, he produced a few samples with which he found ready market in local stores and the Kresge stores.

Having an idea, a product, and a market, he looked for a location. Since the Western Ohio Railroad interurban trolley tracks were on Bluffton’s Main Street and had a siding between (what is today Shannon Theatre and Ten Thousand Villages) he selected the building, which stood where the Master Mix Feed Store is located. (This building was in the alley behind Ten Thousand Villages. Beech wood was shipped by trolley to the Bluffton company.

Maynard Geiger, well-know Bluffton radio repairman and technician and Albert Klay were hired as designing engineers. Following some trial and error type of experimenting, there was soon a straight-line-method of production set up including equipment as the rip saw, glue rack, spray booth with air compressor, drum and disc sanders, shapers, jointers, plainers and a cross-out-saw. These were all powered by electricity.

Part of the merchandising function was the labeling and packing before shipment. “Our operation was so efficient,” related Mr. Geiger, “that we hardly had enough firewood to keep the fires going!”

Soon, seven other full-time employees were working a 45-hour week. Some of the employees were Albert Benroth, William Shifferly, Robert Amstutz, Eli Amstutz, Robert Nonamaker and Donavan Geiger.

The principle items produced were breadboards, which were sold wholesale for 25 cents, end tables $3.75, wren houses, $1.25, not bowls (sic) $5, and small corner shelves.

A new process used by the company was applying lacquer on wood products. Before this was applied, an application of gasoline-putty mixture was applied the day before.

After drying, this could be easily scrapped off. The process was to prevent the lacquer from soaking into the wood pores. Finished products also had unique art designs to make them more attractive. The products were marketed in the U.S. and Canada.

The company was, however, successful for only several years. According to some, there is reason to believe the company had only $11,000 working capital when it could have used twice that much. Because of heavy competition, lack of capital, and ill health, the company folded around the middle 1930s.

Reference: Maynard Geiger
Interviewer: Marlin Gerber