HURST
MURAL
ABOUT THE MURAL
The goal and vision for this mural was to highlight the life and legacy of Peter F. Hurst. This mural is a depiction of the different parts and pieces that made Peter and the founding of Aeroquip so important. Curated and headed by local Jackson artist Evan Struck.
Aeroquip was founded by Peter F. Hurst, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1939.
THE FOUNDER
Aeroquip was founded by Peter F. Hurst, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1939. Trained as an engineer, Hurst had begun his postgraduate career with the Berlin-based Argus Motor Company's British aircraft operations in 1934. Before long the 24-year-old Hurst was placed in charge of Rotadisk, a subsidiary that designed and made aircraft brakes. Under contract with German aircraft manufacturer Focke-Wulf, Hurst and Rotadisk undertook a thorough overhaul of the airplanes' wheels and hydraulic brakes. The braking system's hoses came under particular scrutiny. Up to this point, hoses were permanently attached to the systems they served. When they wore out, the entire brake mechanism had to be replaced. Hurst's team came up with a detachable, reusable hose fitting that allowed the less durable hoses to be replaced without having to go through the tedious and time-consuming process of draining the entire system. This relatively simple device reduced the weight of the hydraulic brakes, simplified repair, and helped increase the aircraft's fuel efficiency. It also became the foundation of Hurst's lifelong work.
Hurst went on to study mechanical engineering at the institute of technology in Karlsruhe, Then graduating in 1933 with a masters degree in engineering. The inexorable build-up to World War II brought profound changes to Hurst's life and career. This helped prepare for Hurst for the technical career which was to follow.
The family Car a 6 cylinder NSU-Phaeton in 1928
INITIATIVE
Peter with his sister and mother located on there farm in Germany
The Messerschmitt Typhoon (Me. 108) equipped with Argus engines which went on to be the forerunner of World War 2 Planes
Peter F. Hurst at a Board meeting with the Aeroquip company
Aeroquip was founded by Peter F. Hurst, who emigrated from Germany to the United States in 1939.
In 1939, Argus sent the young engineer to America in the hopes of setting up a U.S. subsidiary.
VISION
Aeroquips Jackson based production Plant
Areoquip employee next to work vehicle
Hurst had barely spent a week in the United States when Germany invaded Poland. Loath to return to his homeland, Hurst got an extension of his original three-month visa and stayed stateside. Hurst licensed the patents for the hydraulic devices from Argus and began negotiating a licensing and manufacturing agreement of his own with Hayes Industries Inc. of Jackson, Michigan. When that plan fell through, he decided instead to form his own manufacturing concern. Hurst enlisted the financial and managerial backing of some of Jackson's most prominent businessmen, among them: Charles Hollerith, Don T. McKone, Sr., Stuart M. Schram, Donald M. Teer, and F.F. Ingram. Hurst convinced these five and five others to invest $1,000 each in the new venture. They called their company's stakeholders chipped in another $10,000 each to purchase an abandoned milk processing plant and manufacturing equipment. Within two years, the company's employee roster had burgeoned to 100.
Advertisement for Aeroquip 601 Lightweight engine hose
Aeroquip went public with the sale of over 150,000 shares at $4 each in July 1950.
The proceeds went primarily to the original stockholders, but the company itself cleared about $65,000 to find the ambitious acquisition plan that helped develop Aeroquip's new commercial interests. Aeroquip's multi-decade string of acquisitions helped it break the $100 million sales threshold in 1966. By 1968, the company had 4,480 employees, sales of $123.4 million, over $4.4 million profits, and a presence in six countries. But President Hurst foresaw an even bigger future for Aeroquip and began to seek affiliation with a larger company that could provide his firm with sufficient financial backing to continue its global expansion. When negotiations with the first candidate, Westinghouse, failed, Hurst successfully merged Aeroquip with the Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company (LOF) in 1968 through an exchange of the two companies' shares. The new parent provided Aeroquip with the funding it needed to continue to increase manufacturing capacity, penetrate new markets, and create new products.
Aeroquip employees working on shipping and fulfillment
BOLDNESS
Aeroquip Annual Report showing the vast array of products
Gemini 4, Areoquip supplied special parts during the Space Race
GET IN TOUCH
The Hurst Mural is located inside the Lean Rocket Lab located at 133 W Michigan Ave Jackson, MI 49201