It may be strange to think that less than 80 years ago most of sheet metal work was done by hand. The process was cumbersome and time-consuming. Those employed in the profession worked hard for their money, and in an era shortly following the Great Depression, any work was good work.
Around 1940, Theresa Wahl, a wife and mother from Wilmington, Delaware aspired to make her husband’s work life easier. She worked odd jobs–laundry, housekeeping, and cleaning, all without her husband’s knowledge. Theresa was likely inspired by trade publication advertisements at that time to purchase a Lockformer Co. Pittsburgh machine. The ads promised that the machine could do the work of four men with hand brakes, likely a concept that would allow Theresa more quality time with her husband Harold.
The legendary Lockformer machine that Theresa paid for outof sheer love, is still working and on display at Quality Heating & Air Conditioning in Wilmington Delaware.
To learn more about the Lockformer Pittsburgh Machine that Theresa bought, read the article written by Snips editor Michael McConnell: http://www.snipsmag.com/articles/92802-a-piece-of-ductwork-fabrication-history-rests-in-a-delaware-shop