General Machinery Corporation Collection (1976.01)

Biographical note

Hooven, Owens, Rentschler, and Company was an engine manufacturing firm based in Hamilton, Ohio that produced a large quantity of stationary Corliss steam engines in the late 19th-early 20th century. Its focus shifted to marine engines following the United States' entry to World War One in 1917, which saw the company receiving multiple government contracts. These contracts were initially for smaller, 850- and 1400-horsepower engines, but eventually included 2800-horsepower engines. The height of its efforts saw the company producing up to four 2800-horsepower engines a week. In addition to producing steam engines, Hooven, Owens, Rentschler, and Company also manufactured diesel engines. The Hamilton, Ohio plant built a large quantity of triple-expansion steam reciprocating engines for Liberty Ships in WWII as General Machinery Corporation, the company’s official name as of 1928. After several mergers, General Machinery Corporation became part of the Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton Corporation, which was in operation until 1972.