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.

Background

The company was started in 1890 by

Arthur C. Newby Arthur Calvin Newby (December 29, 1865—September 11, 1933) was an American businessman and pioneer of the bicycle and automotive industries in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was best known as one of the founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. ...

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''.

History

The company began with four machines and four workers. The only product of the company was chains to for bicycle wheel sprockets. The company experienced growth and began to construct a new building in 1895. The new factory was completed in November 1895. The factory was located where the

Hoosier Dome The RCA Dome (originally Hoosier Dome) was a domed stadium in Indianapolis. It was the home of the Indianapolis Colts NFL franchise for 24 seasons (1984–2007). It was completed at a cost of $77.5 million, as part of the Indiana Convention Ce ...

now sits in Indianapolis. In 1896

Henry Ford Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American Technological and industrial history of the United States, industrialist, business magnate, founder of the Ford Motor Company, and chief developer of the assembly line technique of ...

purchased ten feet of chain from the company. Experts believe Ford used the chain on his first

Quadricycle Quadricycle refers to vehicles with four wheels. In 1896 Henry Ford named his first vehicle design the "Quadricycle". it ran on four bicycle wheels, with an engine driving the back wheels.Brinkley, David, ''Wheels for the World: Henry Ford, His ...

. In 1899 The company was sold to a bicycle trust under the name

American Bicycle Company American Bicycle Company (1899-1903) was an American bicycle company (Trust) led by Albert Augustus Pope. The company was formed to consolidate the manufacturers of bicycles and bicycle parts. In the 1890s the advancements in bicycle design led ...

which was run by

Albert Pope Albert Augustus Pope (May 20, 1843 – August 10, 1909) was a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the Union Army. He was an importer, promoter, and manufacturer of bicycles, and a manufacturer of automobiles. Early life Pope was born on May 20, 184 ...

. The Wilbur and Orville Wright operated a bicycle store in Ohio, and they became agents for the company. In 1903 the Wright Brothers had the company design special chains which they used to make their historic first airplane flight at Kitty Hawk. 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. The company still exists under the name Diamond. The company has diversified and they now produce chains for a variety of industries.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indianapolis Chain and Stamping Company 1890 introductions History of cycling Manufacturing companies based in Indianapolis History of cycling in the United States Companies based in Indianapolis