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Packard brothers sparked businesses with incandescent lamps
LOCAL NEWS

JUN 27, 2022
CHARLES OHLIN

While the history of Packard’s automobile and automotive cable businesses are well documented, very little has been written about Packard incandescent lamps — the Packard brothers’ first business venture that they founded in 1890.

Like their automobiles, Packard lamps were prized for their quality, winning the gold medal for incandescent light at the Chicago’s World’s Fair in 1893. I hope you enjoy a few brief excerpts about the birth of Packard lamps.

The Packard brothers were a dynamic duo in 1890. James “Ward” Packard, 26, was a prolific inventor whose cutting-edge technology improved upon Edison’s light bulb patent. For the prior six years, he had been employed as an engineer by the Sawyer Man Company in New York City.

Older brother William D. “Will” Packard, 28, had joined Ward in New York in 1886 as assistant superintendent of Sawyer Man’s lamp department. Will Packard was a persistent promoter, eager to sell Packard lamps all over North America. The Packard brothers broke ground for their Dana Street lamp factory just five days after signing the charter to incorporate the Packard Electric Company on June 4, 1890.

The following week, Will traveled to New York City to purchase equipment and meet with John Peale, a wealthy investor. On the trip home, Will stopped at the Corning, New York glass works to order glass needed for lamp production. Construction proceeded quickly that summer.

Will Packard moved into his office on Aug. 4, and the factory’s power plant was up and running 10 days later. Machinery was installed and tested on Aug. 22. The first good bamboo filament was made on Sept. 9, and lamp production began three days later.

On Sept. 15, Will wrote in his journal that they had “finished first lamps.” The new lamp was called the “Packard High Grade Lamp” and was manufactured in different sizes and styles. Once lamp production began, the brothers divided their duties based on their strengths and talents.

Ward largely remained in the laboratory and factory in Warren, managing research, development and production, while Will hit the road as the company’s chief salesman. Will sold the first Packard lamps to Walter Kauffman, the manager of the American Tube & Iron Co. of Youngstown, a wrought iron and steel tube manufacturer. Early sales were brisk, which required the addition of a night shift to meet demand on Oct. 2, 1890.

The Packard brothers’ lamp factory was notable for its state-of-the-art manufacturing process. All the machines ran by separate electric motors, as opposed to a series of belts and pulleys used by most factories of that era. The lamp factory’s workforce was predominately women, as much of the manufacturing was done by hand, and women possessed better finger dexterity.

In 1965, Packard Electric’s first female employee, Clara Gledhill, described what it was like working for the Packard brothers: “One day, a belt broke on one of the machines. Those Packard boys came right over and began taking apart the equipment to repair it. And what a sight they were,” she laughed. “By the time they were finished, they were covered from head to toe with oil and dirt.”

The Packard Electric Company was originally organized as both a lamp manufacturer and an electrical contractor. Packard Electric’s first contract was to install lamps at the Griswold Linseed Oil Works in Warren’s old Flats section. The second contract was to light the Neracher Sprinkler factory (later ITT Grinnell) on Paige Avenue in Warren. In 1897, Packard Electric installed electrical wiring and Packard lamps at the Trumbull County Courthouse then under construction.

Wealthy Akron-area businessmen expressed an interest in purchasing the Packards’ newly launched lamp business. “America’s Match King,” O.C. Barber, along with Albert Paige and others toured the factory in October 1890. Will Packard wrote that they “wanted a proposition for us to go to Barberton.” Packard Electric remained in Warren, but Albert Paige gave Will Packard the contract to light the new Albert Hall then under construction in downtown Akron.

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Some west coast and one east coast business that may be able to help with assessment / consignment / sale.

West Coast Classics:
This California-based dealership specializes in buying and selling rare, low-mileage, and rust-free classic cars, with a focus on Southern California vehicles.
thewestcoastclassics.com

Classic Cars West:
This boutique dealership in the San Francisco Bay Area handles a diverse inventory, including European sports cars, American muscle cars, and pre-war vehicles,
with expertise in classic car appraisals and international shipping.
classiccarswest.com/

Laguna Classic Cars:
This dealership in Laguna Beach, CA, offers a consignment program with a flat fee, comprehensive marketing, and a focus on selling interesting cars and trucks.
lagunaclassiccars.com/consignments

Precious Metals: Fine Motorcars of San Diego:
This dealership specializes in classic, vintage, exotic, performance, and muscle cars, with a strong focus on marketing and historical research to verify the authenticity of vehicles.
pmautos.com

GT Auto Lounge:
Located in Sacramento, CA, this dealership specializes in classic, muscle, exotic, and luxury vehicles, with a focus on quality, passion, and trust.
gtautolounge.com/

East Coast
tomlaferriere.com/

Generally, GL-5 gear oil should not be used in applications with brass components because its extreme pressure additives can cause corrosion or damage to soft metals like brass.

GL-4 vs. GL-5:

GL-4 gear oil is designed for transmissions with brass components, while GL-5 is formulated for heavy-duty applications with steel gears and differentials, where extreme pressure protection is needed.

Why GL-5 is problematic with brass:

GL-5 gear oil contains high levels of sulfur and phosphorus additives, which form a protective layer on steel gears under extreme pressure. However, this protective layer can also react with brass, leading to corrosion or damage.

Alternative for brass components:

If your application uses brass components, you should always use GL-4 gear oil or a gear oil specifically designed for use with soft metals.

Modern GL-5 oils:

Some modern GL-5 oils have "buffered" additive packages that are designed to be less corrosive to soft metals, but it's still best practice to use GL-4 if the application specifies it.

Examples of applications:

GL-4 is commonly used in manual transmissions, while GL-5 is used in differentials and other heavy-duty applications.

GL-4 gear oil is generally considered safe for use with brass and other "yellow" metals in gearboxes and transmissions, unlike GL-5 oils which can be corrosive to these metals due to their higher sulfur content.

GL-4 vs. GL-5:

GL-4 gear oils are formulated to be compatible with brass, bronze, and other "yellow" metals commonly used in synchronizers, bushings, and thrust washers. GL-5 oils, on the other hand, often contain higher levels of sulfur and phosphorus additives that can react with and damage these softer metals.

Why GL-4 is preferred:

GL-4 oils have a lower sulfur content, which makes them less likely to cause corrosion or damage to brass or bronze components.
As long as you're careful about where you're using a modern GL-4 or GL-5 gear oil, they can be used successfully in vintage transmissions and differentials.

When to use GL-4:

If your vehicle or machinery uses brass or bronze components in its transmission or gearbox, GL-4 gear oil is generally the recommended choice.

When to use GL-5:

GL-5 oils are typically used in applications where there are no brass or bronze components, or where the manufacturer specifically recommends their use.

Examples of GL-4 uses:

GL-4 oils are often used in manual transmissions, especially in older vehicles or those with manual transmissions that use brass synchronizers.

Red Line MT-90 is a popular GL-4 gear oil that is specifically designed for use with brass synchros and other soft metals

If these sources can't help, PM me. I have a source that 3D metal prints parts for me.

They may be able to print these, I'd have to check first to see what min. wall thickness they can print.

All they need is a .stl or .step file of the part, no print required. If you'd be willing to loan me the parts I can reverse engineer and create the required files for the parts, if you are not able to create them.

Sorry to hear the MM ones were the wrong size. Other sources to try:

Both have a good selection of original parts.

julrichpackard.com/index.htm

packardseattlecompany.com/

I noticed the timing marks on the balancer. Original or added?

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So far the only image I've found showing what are supposed to be original side curtains, although on a '30 instead of a '29.

Anyone out there with a set for a '29 645 willing to post pic's / dimensions to help out?

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If the side curtains shown in the attachment provided by DavidM are correct for the car, they could be used as templates.

Photo copy each and use an overhead or digital projector to scale them up to 1:1.

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Interesting process on what one Buick owner used to fabricate new side curtains:

forums.aaca.org/topic/407107-1922-buick-touring-side-curtains/

May be worth contacting this supplier to see if "other items" included side curtain patterns:

aro2000.com/

aro2000.com/packard%201929-55.htm

Experience - Established in 1919, ARO patterns have been proven during "in house" & "field" installations for over 80 years by professional restorers & installation centers. ARO Mfg. had long been a consultant to the automotive industry prior to becoming the "OE" manufacturer for GM, FORD, CHRYSLER & others starting in 1958. ARO has manufactured convertible tops, convertible rear glass back-lites, full vues, pads, well liners & other items from patterns provided by the auto manufacturers through 1995. OE patterns are on file with the factory part #'s & specifications.