Herbert H. Franklin

Who was Herbert H. Franklin?

Herbert H. Franklin was born in Lisle, New York located in Broome County in Southern New York State.

In 1886, at age 19, he moved to Coxsackie, New York, where he spent his early career as a newspaper editor for his uncle, who owned a newspaper and publishing company. Franklin remained in that capacity until 1892 when he became interested in "hydrostatic moulding process", or die casting. Not long after, he quit the newspaper business and relocated to Syracuse, New York.

Franklin founded the H. H. Franklin Manufacturing Company in 1893. The company specialized in machine die casting and made small parts such as gears and bearing caps. It was the first company in the world in that enterprise.

In 1901, Franklin teamed up with engineer John Wilkinson to develop an air cooled engine and in 1902, the Franklin automobile was born. Because he was the primary investor, Franklin assumed control of the company, and named the auto manufacturing division the Franklin Automobile Company. As president, he managed the company finances and business administration. Wilkinson was named as chief engineer and granted control of the engineering and manufacturing operation.