Majosta History of the American Fork & Hoe Company / True Temper 1835–1967 — Sporting Goods, Tools & More

Overview

Majosta presents a richly researched history of the American Fork and Hoe Company and True Temper Corporation, tracing roots back to a small stone shop in Wallingford, Vermont. This book surveys a lineage of forging craft, early industrial change, and a lasting impact on how tools and sporting goods came to market in America.

The story follows the rise from farm implements to a national manufacturing network. In 1902 the firm consolidated with over a dozen independent tool makers to form the American Fork and Hoe Company, a milestone in industrial organization. By 1949 the company evolved into True Temper, reflecting a broader scope that included fishing tackle and golf equipment alongside garden tools.

Along the way, readers encounter the Sporting Goods Division, created in Geneva, Ohio, and later moved to Anderson, South Carolina. The narrative highlights design innovations in gear, such as tapered steel shaft golf clubs, and how the line expanded to lures and tackle items tied to fishing culture. It also covers the Al Foss Pork Rind Minnow acquisition and the integration of a diverse product catalog into a single brand story.

What you will discover in this volume

• The evolution from workshop to industrial network, with locations across the Midwest and East
• Key product lines and the shift into sporting goods, including golf clubs and fishing gear
• Patents, product innovations, and the people who shaped the brand

• Historical context and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on tool making and business culture
• Collector’s materials that illuminate Al Foss, American Fork and Hoe, and True Temper fishing lures and boxes
• Insights into how a tool company became a multi front leader in agriculture, sport, and tackle

Whether you are a historian, a collector, or simply curious about how everyday tools and sporting goods evolved together, this volume offers a detailed, engaging overview. Expect careful research, period illustrations, and a narrative that connects factory floors with the products that shaped American life over more than a century.