I stumbled across this article that was published two years ago. I know my fair share about AC, but I learned a few more facts from this article! Our business history articles often focus on the consumer products and services industries with which we all interact – from auto companies to department stores. Yet… Continue reading Forgotten Industrial Giant: The Allis-Chalmers Story – The American Business History Center
Tag: AC
AC Proving Grounds Tow Tractor
I bet many of you have one of those, “ahhhh I wish I hadn’t missed out on that,” moments. That’s exactly how I feel about not getting the chance to see this tow tractor that Allis-Chalmers had at the proving grounds. These units were towed, several at a time, behind behind tractors to… Continue reading AC Proving Grounds Tow Tractor
Bring on the Snow!
Okay, so it's officially winter in Wisconsin with our first significant snowfall of the year. Yeah, we got a little snow last weekend, but it was barely enough to cover the ground and melted the next day. We are getting a good dose of snow this weekend--6 to 8 inches by the time it's all… Continue reading Bring on the Snow!
Allis-Chalmers Betatron Lab
Every now and then I learn something new about Allis-Chalmers. One of those new tidbits I have recently discovered is the betatron lab the company had at the West Allis Works. Last year I had the opportunity to step inside this old testing lab and see some of the equipment left behind. The machine was essentially… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Betatron Lab
Allis-Chalmers Fuel Cell Tractor
Farm technology is a constant evolving industry. I think about how much the farm has evolved in one hundred years. In 1915 fields were plowed and planted with teams of horses; grains were brought from the field to be threshed on the dooryard; milking a small herd of cows was done by hand. Today, farming… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Fuel Cell Tractor
AC Drafting Table
About 6 years ago I had the opportunity to acquire an awesome piece of AC history that I couldn't pass up. We restored a Farmall M for an implement dealership, and the gentleman who set up the restoration said he had a piece of Allis-Chalmers history I might be interested in. He showed me these… Continue reading AC Drafting Table
WAW Infographic
West Allis Works Building Directory
I've assembled a list of the buildings at the WAW that I was able to find. A big thanks to the West Allis Historical Society! If you have not been to the West Allis Historical Society, I highly recommend you pay them a visit to see more of their AC collection.
Speaking Event
I have a big talk coming up in 2 weeks! The West Allis Historical Society contacted me about a month ago about giving a talk about Allis-Chalmers tractors at the fall banquet. How could I turn it down?! What an honor to go to the city named after the company that was its center and… Continue reading Speaking Event
Pioneer Power- Chapter 1
I recently acquired a book published by Allis-Chalmers in 1942. This book covers the history of the firm and products since 1847. Instead of scanning this book, which could damage it, I will transcribe each chapter in a series of blog posts. Forward: The following pages tell a story about this company's growth that covers… Continue reading Pioneer Power- Chapter 1
The Weekend Historian 