1923 - In October, Wendell August, with four blacksmiths, one of which was Ottone Pisoni as the lead blacksmith, established the Wendell August Forge. The new Wendell August Forge produced a line of ornamental hand wrought iron, which included fireplace and irons, candlesticks, lighting standards, door-knockers, latches, railings, as well as window and door grills.
1928 - James McCausland, who had trained as an architect at the University of Kansas, joined the Wendell August Forge, and became the Designer and Operations Manager. McCausland is credited for being the originator of many of the company’s most popular designs during both the wrought iron and wrought aluminum periods. He also became a significant figure in the development of the hand forged aluminum industry.
1929 - On October 24th the stock market crashed and the Country moved into the Great Depression. Wendell August lost virtually everything except the Wendell August Forge. Six workers continued at the Forge, laboring for six months without a paycheck in order to finish a contract and maintain the company and their jobs.
1929-1930 - Wendell August Forge won the bid to create the aluminum gates as well as the elevator doors inside the new research facility built by Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa). The Alcoa gates, which still stand today, opened the door for the Forge to receive additional contracts for hand wrought aluminum architectural installations throughout Western Pennsylvania.
1931 - The craftsmen of Wendell August Forge traveled ninety miles from Brockway to install hand wrought aluminum grillwork in the Grove City National Bank. Wendell August Forge was recognized as a company that could help bring new industry and economic development to the Grove City community. With the encouragement of Grove City businessmen, Wendell August moved the company to its present location.
1932 -. Articles of Incorporation were signed in June 1932. Edwin J. Fithian was named President and Wendell August was designated Vice President. On Wednesday, July 27, 1932 eight Forge craftsmen started work in the new Grove City facility. The first known catalog for Wendell August Forge was effective as of October 1, 1932, and featured items targeting the luxury market.
1933 - Under the stewardship of Arthur J. Palmer, an experienced Gift Ware Representative, Wendell August Forge product was already being shown at major gift shows in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, and New York.
1936 - Wendell August Forge was asked to create mementos commemorating the “Millionaires’ Flight” on the Hindenburg air ship that took place at the end of the trans-Atlantic season. There were seventy-two guests on this flight who were considered to be among the most powerful and wealthy men in the United States.
1941 - With American involvement in WWII looming ever closer, aluminum supplies became difficult to acquire for non-military use. The Saturday Evening Post carried cartoons emphasizing the need to conserve and collect aluminum for the National Defense Program. Civilian use of aluminum was stopped shortly after the Declaration of War by the United States that followed the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor.
1942-1945 - During World War II, Wendell August was forced to shut down the operation of the Wendell August Forge because all aluminum production was allocated for the manufacture of military equipment, most particularly aircraft. In August 1942 Wendell August obtained a contract to house and feed military personnel at the Madison Avenue building. These were Navy and Coast Guard men who were being trained in diesel engine operation at the Cooper-Bessemer plant in Grove City
1945-1949 - By April of 1946, the Wendell August Forge was back in full operation. Significant post-war architectural commissions included a variety of Jewelry stores and about twenty Bank interiors.
1950-1960 - The decade of the 1950’s marked the beginning of a difficult period for Wendell August Forge. The combination of a number of factors, such as the slowing of post-war spending, the increased competition from a rising number of aluminum gift ware manufacturers, and the revival of the imported goods market all contributed to diminishing sales.
1960-1978 - The difficult business conditions of the 1950’s continued for Wendell August Forge through the 1960’s and into the 1970's. By 1960, the group of skilled craftsmen had dwindled to eight workers. In April of 1963 the company’s namesake and founder, Wendell August, died after suffering a heart attack while having lunch at a Grove City restaurant.
Robert August operated the company after the passing of his father. He opened a small gift shop attached to the Grove City workshop. This area had previously served as a “viewing area” where prospective buyers could view samples of items produced at Wendell August Forge. Although the retail store was well received by local Grove City residents, Wendell August Forge’s corporate business still carried the day.
In the early 1970’s, at the urging of the Wendell August Forge Office Manager, Mary Lou McNaughton, the most important contribution to the company’s product line in decades, was introduced, Collector's Plates. These limited edition Collector’s Plates spoke to the popularity of collectibles in the United States, were well received, and have continued to be since then.
Mary Lou McNaughton also urged Robert August to submit information about the Wendell August Forge to various publishers of Tour Books. Tourists began to plan their trips to include a visit to the Forge, and eventually Tour Buses noted the tourist activity and included the Wendell August Forge in their Western Pennsylvania tours.
1978 - In February of 1978 F. W. “Bill” Knecht III, an eighteen-year veteran with IBM, and a resident of Youngstown, Ohio, purchased the Wendell August Forge from Robert August.
1979 - Knecht developed a retail operation that included workshop tours, antique display cases, and other on-site experiences at the Grove City location. Remodeling the buildings began, and this first step toward the new Wendell August Forge was completed that November.
Wendell August Forge received a commission from the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to produce twelve solid bronze plates commemorating the SALT II Treaty between the U.S. and Russia. The plates were presented to the signing dignitaries in Geneva, Switzerland.
1980 - Natale Rossi, the Forge’s Master Die Engraver for over 30 years, was selected as a recipient of the prestigious Hazlett Memorial Award for Excellence in the Arts in Pennsylvania.
At the urging of his wife, Connie, Knecht introduced an annual Christmas ornament, the most commercial success in the company’s history.
1983-1994 - This was a time frame in which the Wendell August Forge dramatically expanded in several directions. New motifs in new directions were created by Bruck and Youngo, and new marketing efforts were successful in stimulating sales. In 1989, Knecht was joined in the business by his daughter, Debbie, and his son, Will. Knecht’s daughter, Debbie Fetter, was responsible for a new consumer catalog designed to enhance the retail operation. In a move intended to address the needs of the corporate market, Wendell August developed a new business-to-business division.
1994 - In July, Wendell August opened an additional retail and workshop facility in Berlin, Ohio. This 13,000 square foot all open beam timber framed facility was conceived as potentially a place to visit by design, rather than just incidentally. Once inside, a visitor can find a Company Museum, Gift Shop Tour area, and a Forge workshop. This impressive structure is in the heart of Amish Country where it is now visited annually by thousands of tourists.
2000 - In October of 2000 Wendell August opened a retail store in the Prime Outlet Mall of Grove City
2008 - In May of 2008 Wendell August opened a retail store in Exton, PA.
A Tradition of Craftsmanship
