Mr. Estwing (1884 - 1982)
DID YOU KNOW…
Ernst Otto Johansson was born on 24 December 1884 in the village of Persnäs on Öland, Sweden. During the interrogation, the family stands as "poor couple" in a property that was owned by the village.
Ernst became a sailor on 29 June 1901 and emigrated on 9 April 1902 to the United States. His journey was with s/s Rollo from Gothenburg to Grimsby Hull. On September 4, 1902, his entry was registered at Ellis Island New York.
After a time he settled in Connecticut and changed his name to Ernest O. Estwing. He had a business idea was to improve tools that consisted of different parts. Hammers and axes with wooden handles often broke and should be improved by casting the shaft and head in one piece of high quality steel.
Around 1920, the Estwing family moved to Rockford, Illinois, northwest of Chicago, where many Swedes lived. In 1923 he started the Estwing Manufacturing Company.
Ernest started manufacturing in his own basement. The launch was difficult because his tools cost twice as much as other tools. In 1925, he placed an ad after borrowing $25,000. It was very successful because there was a construction boom and soon he had a full order book and was able to buy his own factory.
The company is still successful today and the products are used by many craftsmen in Sweden and all over the world.
A fantastic journey of a poor boy from Öland to successful tool maker.
Ernest passed away aged 97 in June 1982.
