Schrader

Schrader® - A Brief History

A young mechanic named August Schrader® arrived in New York in 1840 from Hamburg Germany. By the spring of 1844 he had saved enough money to purchase some machinery, and open a shop at 115 John Street in Manhattan

Experienced as a brass turner, August Schrader® began supplying fittings and valves for rubber products made by the Goodyear Brothers in 1845. These included air pillows and life preservers. Schrader® was also a maker of daguerreotype photographic apparatus. Shortly there after he went into partnership with Christian Baecher, at this same address. Christian was turner , a finisher of brass. In 1846 Schrader® took iterest in an undereater race between divers off the battery in lower Manhattan. His concern was with the equipment used. Upon inspecting the divers, he was convinced that he could improve the design, and manufacturing of the helmets. Later his interest in diving led to him to design an air pump.

By 1849 Schrader® produced two helmets. They were sold to the Union India Rubber Co. of New York for $12.00 each. In January 1850 Schrader® sold Union India Rubber Co. one air pump for $25.00. More orders were to follow.

An improved air pump was produced, and exhibited at the Industrial Fair of 1856, at the Crystal Palace in New York. A diploma was awared with the inscription, ”An air pump attached to a divers dress, well manufactured and powerful”. August Schrader® was well under way in the dive equipment business.

Around 1890, after reports of English cyclists´sucess using pneumatic tires, August Schrader® saw the need for a bicycle tire valve. By 1891, he produced the Schrader® valve. The Schrader® valve was his most popular invention, and is still used today. August´s son, Geroge, is generally credited with the experimental work that resulted in the valve´s creation.

Later in 1896, Schrader® patented the tire valve cap. Soon after, tire valves for automobiles were introduced.