Parks Woodworking Machine Co

Woodworking Machine Co.

The Parks Woodworking Machine Co. was established in 1884 by Lewis F. Parks. Parks’ inventive genius enabled him to develop a successful firm that introduced several new design and manufacturing concepts into the field, particularly the use of welded iron for machine frames. Not only did his company pioneer the light woodworking machinery field, but introduced some of the first true combination machines.

He began making tests on a prototype foot-powered tenoning and mortising machine at an early age. He had no practical training as a machinist and was restricted to the miscellaneous tools, machinery, and raw materials he could find scattered about the various lumber camps in the Kentucky boondocks.

In spite of the hardships, he completed his inventions and arrived in Cincinnati in 1884. He set up business at 270-272 Colerain Avenue as the L. F. Parks Co., and began manufacturing his tenoning and mortising machine. Parks was probably the first to put such a tenoning machine on the market. However, George Page of South Keene, NH, had developed a foot-powered mortising machine c. 1833.

In 1885, Parks introduced an improved tenoning tool. He also had his first experience with the cut-throat business world of the 19th Century. To his dismay, he discovered his hard won designs were being outright copied by others.

source OWWM forum