by Rehab Vintage on April 3, 2012
The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of
The Yawman & Erbe story is as American as they come. Two young men working in manufacturing during the turn of the century. One a master mechanic who was revolutionizing old methods with the introduction of new and at the time radical ideas. The other, responsible for the development. All along, in true American spirit, it occurred to the co-workers that they could do as well for themselves as they were doing for others.
Neither having all of the qualities of a successful business owner in themselves, Mr. Ywaman & Mr. Erbe–co-workers at a Rochester manufacturing company– turned to each other as a complimentary counter-parts with a shared vision. Consumed by desire and ambition to have a business of their own, the two frequently discussed their dream until the “do and dare” moment finally arrived in May 0f 1880 and the two opened “Yarmen & Erbe,” a small enterprise housed in a 600 sq.ft. room. The first employee—a boy to run errands and learn the business—was soon hired, and an agreement was drafted and signed calling for the strict adherence to the the company’s highest principles in manufacturing and business. Within three years, Yawman and Erbe established a reputation for quality work–both in material and workmanship, and that reputation rapidly spread. By the early 1900s “Yawman & Erbe” grew to one of the largest office furniture manufacturing firms in the world. According to the company magazine published in 1909, Y&E was a monument to Yawman and Erbe’s life work and and “an example of what can be accomplished with no other capital than brains and brawn honestly and intelligently applied.”
For more information about this classic Y&E tanker desk, come visit us at 7609 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, 90036. Or call 323.935.8438.
by Rehab Vintage on October 3, 2011
An American leader in times gone by, General Fireproofing Company (GF) led by innovating and constantly keeping up with changes.
The General Fireproofing Company (GF) of Youngstown Ohio. Original image found on Flickr http://bit.ly/o7JxwT. All rights are reserved by the photographer.
General Fireproofing Company (GF) opened in 1902 as a manufacturer of fireproof building products. Just five years later, when the Panic of 1907, brought all building to a halt, the company changed focus to office furniture. With the introduction of the first production four-drawer steel vertical file, the company had become a leader in the metal office furniture industry. Throughout its long history, GF innovated and accomplished a number of firsts in office furniture, including this painted wood finish (pictured below). The company discontinued most of its product lines by the 1970′s and declared bankruptcy in 1989, leaving behind this beautiful Ohio building (above) and these relics from the 20′s (below). Oh, what the professionals who worked on these must of gone through.
Vintage General Fireproofing Company Partners’ Desk
These RARE 1920s steel desks featured a painted wood finish to ease the public’s hesitation with newly introduced transition metal office furniture. Also check out some of our vintage office accessories to go with these desks.
1920s Partners Desk, General Fireproofing Company
General Fireproofing Company Partners' Desk
GF Executive Desk (RARE)
Available at REHAB Vintage Interiors. Visit our Los Angeles showroom, visit us online, or call: 800.668.1020
GF building. Image found on Flickr: http://bit.ly/o7JxwT. All rights reserved by the photographer
These gorgeous photos of the General Fireproofing Company (GF) of Youngstown Ohio were found on Flickr. View the full General Fireproofing stream. We love the juxtapose of new life and what once was.
