953 nut 55,075 #1 Posted June 4, 2019 6-4-1924 Cecil Elwood Pond was born Cecil Pond was an American businessman, inventor, and entrepreneur. He was the founder of Wheel Horse Products Co. Inc., and was the primary inventor of the modern American Garden Tractor and riding mower. Pond was born in South Bend, Indiana, to Elmer and Ann Marie Pond. He graduated from South Bend's former Washington-Clay High School, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1946, Pond returned to South Bend and in June of that year, married Betty Alber Pond. Mr. & Ms. Pond were the parents of three children: son Gary Pond, and two daughters, Linda and Constance. 1946 saw the beginnings of Pond's manufacturing future. Pond joined his father Elmer, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors (which the operator would walk behind) from angle iron, surplus motorcycle and automotive parts in his garage. At first, the Ponds' company was simply called Pond Tractor Company; however, they discovered another family member owned a similarly-named company. "Wheel Horse" was then chosen, and the name stayed with the company even after its acquisition by Toro. In the late forties, military veterans returning from World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape. Their suburban homes had larger lots that demanded more attention—and the Ponds' riding mower found many ready buyers as a result. In 1954, Pond introduced his first 4-wheel lawn tractor, an event which altered substantially the lawn care manufacturing business. By 1957, his Wheel Horse Products Company recorded sales over $1 million (US $ 9.09 Million in 2019 dollars.) for the first time. Just two years later, the company's sales more than doubled, to $4.5 million (US $ 39.5 Million in 2019 dollars). In 1975, Pond sold Wheel Horse Products to American Motors Corporation. At the time of the sale, Pond oversaw over 500 workers at his plant and over 3,000 dealers were selling the brand. In 1986 Toro acquired Wheel Horse. Cecil Pond passed away December 30, 2011. 3 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,789 #2 Posted June 4, 2019 We’re ALL happy you were born! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,684 #3 Posted June 4, 2019 Thanks Cecil 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jennifer 1,877 #4 Posted June 4, 2019 Happy birthday to a true Einstein and entrepreneur of his time. Who created an amazing equipment simplified and easy for all to use happy birthday!!! Thanks! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,778 #5 Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) Happy Happy Cecil & Thanks Richard... Does this mean you are going to start your on this day threads again?!?!? Edited June 4, 2019 by WHX22 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,075 #6 Posted June 4, 2019 3 hours ago, WHX22 said: Does this mean you are going to start your on this day threads again?!?!? Yes, on Wheel Horse significant dates I will. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
