Introduction
A young mechanic
named August Schrader, arrived in New York in 1840 from Hamburg
Germany. By the spring of 1844 he had saved enough money to
purchase some machinery, and open a shop at 115 John Street in Manhattan.
He was a maker of daguerreotype apparatus. Shortly there after he went
into partnership with Christian Baecher, at this same address. Christian
was a turner, a finisher of brass. In 1846 Schrader took interest
in an underwater race between divers off the battery in Lower Manhattan.
His concern was with the equipment used. Upon inspecting the divers, he
was convinced that he could improve the design, and manufacturing of the
helmets. By 1849 Schrader produced two helmets. They were sold to the Union India Rubber Co.of New York for $12.00 each. In January 1850 Schrader sold Union India Rubber Co. one air pump for $25.00. More orders were to follow. An improved air pump was produced, and exhibited at the Industrial Fair of 1856, at the Crystal Palace in New York. A diploma was awarded with the inscription, "An air pump attached to a divers dress, well manufactured and powerful". August Schrader was weIl under way in the dive equipment business. Craftsweld Equipment Corp. purchased Schrader in 1952. Craftsweld had been in business since 1917. In 1999 Richard and Robert Candell sold Craftsweld / Schrader to Atlantic Diving Equipment Co. They retired at this time. It was their preference to use the Craftsweld name on the commercial helmets they produced. They also retained the Schrader name over the years. |
The new management
As the newest
owner and caretaker of Schrader, Ray Mathieson feels obligated to restore
and preserve the vestiges turned over to him. He has been restoring
numerous foundry patterns; mandrels, and other fixtures. This is a very
expensive, and time consuming process. It is his goal to produce several
styles of the Schrader helmets. Ultimately Schrader Diving Equipment. Co.
will be sold to a party who can further revive it, to a higher plane. The
preservation not only involves producing helmets, it also entails the
preservation of the Schrader history. Ray received a wealth of information from the coIlection of over 1,000 actual drawings, and blueprints. Most of the original silk paper drawings are in remarkably good condition, and go back to the 1890's. The drawings are dated, and when carefuIly studied, teIl a story of when transitions took place. There have been huge voids in trying to determine the manufactured dates of helmets ,and other diving equipment. Unlike the British who are sticklers for protocol, much of Americas dive history has been lost. Ray has to believe that one hundred years ago, little importance was placed on saving early records for prosperity. If only A.J. Morse; A Schrader; A. Hale and Charles Sanborn had aIl documented their companies products, and progress. But then manufacturing diving equipment was strictly a business venture, with no dividends to be paid for compiling documentation. Diving equipment was only underwater construction equipment, not collectible items, viewed by some as pieces of art. |
What can you do for Schrader?
You can help Ray fill in blanks in Schrader history. In fact, any written or pictorial information you may have on Schrader may help to complete the puzzle. Maybe you have an old newspaper add or pictures of old helmets. If you feel you can help out, don't hesitate to contact the A. Schrader Diving Equipment company! |
A nice Schrader helmet that needs some kind attention... |
What can Schrader do for you?
After years of research, Ray was able to put together the "A. Schrader Diving Equipment Co. historical package". It is of great value to the diving helmet collector and especially to the Schader enthusiast. Limited numbers only! Don't miss it!
This package
includes:
About the print:
Price: |
The American Dive Catalog Collection This beautiful piece or work can help you understand the equipment and techniques used in the old days.
Price: |
A. Schrader Diving Equipment Co.
16509 Sylvan Drive
Bowie, Maryland, USA
Phone/Fax (301) 464-8852
©2004 A. Schrader Diving Equipment Co. All rights reserved.
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