Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company

Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company also known as Diamond is a company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. At one time they supplied bicycle chains for the majority of bicycles produced in the United States.

Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company
IndustryManufacturing
Founded1890 (1890) in Chicago, U.S.
FounderArthur C. Newby
SuccessorDiamond Chain
Headquarters
Indianapolis
ProductsBicycle chains
WebsiteDiamond

Background

The company was started in 1890 by Arthur C. Newby and partners Edward C. Fletcher and Glenn Howe. The company grew to provide bicycle chains on 60% of all bicycles sold in the United States. The chains were produced under the name Diamond.[1]

History

The company began with four machines and four workers. The only product of the company was chains to for bicycle wheel sprockets.[2] The company experienced growth and began to construct a new building in 1895. The new factory was completed in November 1895.[3] The factory was located where the Hoosier Dome now sits in Indianapolis.[2]

In 1896 Henry Ford purchased ten feet of chain from the company. Experts believe Ford used the chain on his first Quadricycle.[4]

In 1899 The company was sold to a bicycle trust under the name American Bicycle Company which was run by Albert Pope.[5]

The Wilbur and Orville Wright operated a bicycle store in Ohio, and they became agents for the company.[2] In 1903 the Wright Brothers had the company design special chains which they used to make their historic first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk.[6]

In 1905 the company was then sold to Lucius Wainwright who had been managing the business. The company was renamed Diamond Chain & Manufacturing Company. Automobiles were becoming popular and the company expanded to make chains for automobiles.[6]

The company still exists under the name Diamond. The company has diversified and they now produce chains for a variety of industries.[7]

References
  1. David J. Bodenhamer, Robert G. Barrows (editors). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, Indiana University Press, 1994 ISBN 0253312221
  2. Bdenhamer, David; Barrows, Robert G. (1994). The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. pp. 504–505. ISBN 0-253-31222-1. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  3. "Ohio and Indiana". Cincinnati Commercial Gazette. 6 October 1895. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. "Receipt Showing Purchase of Bicycle Chain for Henry Ford's Quadricycle, May 28, 1896". The Henry Ford. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. "Bicycles in the Trust". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 24 June 1899. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  6. Hamlett, Ryan (11 March 2014). "The Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Co". Historic Indianapolis. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  7. "A Heritage of Quality and Expertise". Diamond Chain. The Diamond Chain Company. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.


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