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The First Company
1865–1889
Humble Beginnings The First Bevel Gear Planer A Global View from the Start
William Gleason starts a one-room In 1874, William Gleason invents the From the start, William Gleason
shop with a handful of employees in first bevel gear planer, modernizing looks overseas for market growth.
1865, and by 1875 he acquires Kidd the gear-making process and spurring Gleason begins overseas sales with
Iron Works. This move, along with a new industry: bevel gears. The Sir W. G. Armstrong, of Whitworth &
various patents he had developed, design proves successful well into Co Ltd, a major British locomotive
allows Gleason to transition into the the 1940’s. manufacturing company. The first bev-
business of gear machine building. el gear cutting machine sold overseas
Gears during this time are cast from goes to Italy in 1877. William’s oldest
molds or hand cut, resulting in crude daughter Kate Gleason shares her fa-
and noisy gears with limited-load ther’s business vision and his aptitude
capacities. for reaching international markets.
During her first trip in 1893, she
secures orders in England, Scotland,
France and Germany.
Employees at Brown’s
Race about 1889.
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