Title: Snap-on Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1920-1993

Creator:

• Snap-on (Firm).

Call Number: UWP Manuscript Collection 38

Quantity: 0.8 cubic feet (2 archives boxes)

Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Parkside Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Locations:

UW-Parkside Library / Parkside Area Research Ctr. (Map)

See the catalog entry for information about possible additional materials and access to the collection.

Abstract:

This collection includes correspondence, sales reports, company publications, photographs of employees, newspaper articles, and meeting minutes of Snap-on, a tool manufacturing corporation based in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-pks-uwpksmc038

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

 ↑ Bookmark this ↑

Pioneering the idea of interchangeable sockets and wrench handles, Joseph Johnson, together with William Seidemann, formed the Snap-on Wrench Company in 1920. The company manufactured and marketed ten sockets that would "snap on" to five interchangeable handles, a concept that revolutionized the tool industry. Snap-on has continued its innovative leadership across an ever-expanding line of products to this day.

Rogers "Rod" Palmer joined the financial division of Snap-on in 1930, was elected to the board of directors in 1931, and became Vice President and General Sales Manager in 1935. He retired in 1967.

Rod Palmer's father, Stanton Palmer, also had a history with Snap-on, having joined the company in 1920 as a salesman and distributor, and was elected President in 1921.

This collection includes correspondence, sales reports, company publications, photographs, newspaper articles, and meeting minutes. Over 50 photographs of Snap-on events, meetings, and conventions taken between the years 1923 and 1966 are in the collection, as well as national and international sales reports, and salary reports for Snap-on employees. Company publications that can be found within the collection are company histories, sales manuals, and employee publications: the Snap-on Mirror, Snap-on Reflections, and Snap-on World Trader.

The files are organized alphabetically by record type.

See the UWP Libraries' Archives Department Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Processing Information

Processed by Doria Debartolo in 2013.

Box   1 Folder   1	40th anniversary publications, correspondence, and news articles, 1960 Note: Includes two copies of The Snap-on Story, 1920-1960 and the Snap-on Mirror, vol. 27, No. 2, 1960 February
Box   1 Folder   2	Advertisements, catalogues, and sales handbooks, circa 1923-1930
Box   1 Folder   3	Convention and meeting programs and notes, 1923-1930
Box   1 Folder   4	Correspondence, meeting minutes, statistics, and notes, 1921-1939
Box   1 Folder   5	Correspondence, meeting minutes, statistics, and notes, 1940-1967
Box   1 Folder   6	History of Snap-on Tools of Canada Ltd., 1962-1981
Box   1 Folder   7	International division correspondence and Rod Palmer Achievement Awards, 1958-1979
Box   1 Folder   8	News clippings, 1936-1993
Box   1 Folder   9	Photographs, 1928-1947
Box   2 Folder   1	Publications and employee magazines, 1928-1985 Note: “15 Year Club"; “Progress in Nut Turning” ; Snap-on News, v. 13, no. 12 (1937), 20th anniversary volume, no. 4 (1940), Snap-on World Trader, v. 1, no. 1 (1965), Snap-on Tools Corporation: 1920-1980's (1985; 2 copies); article from Snap-on Dealer News, Vol. 41, No. 8, (1974 August)
Box   2 Folder   2	Annual reports, 1966
	Snap-On Mirror employee magazine Note: See also: 40th Anniversary publications (box 1, folder 1)
Box   2 Folder   3	Vols. 34, 39-41, 1967, 1972-1974 Note: Incomplete
Box   2 Folder   4	Vols.42-43, 1975-1976 Note: Incomplete
Box   2 Folder   5	Snap-On Reflections, vols. 2-7 , 1977-1983 Note: Incomplete
Box   2 Folder   6	Resurrection address in memory of Theodore N. Glenn by Rev. Bjorn Boyeson, 1976
Box   2 Folder   7	Rod Palmer correspondence with Richard H. Keehn and Robert Grover, 1980-1981
Box   2 Folder   7 (continued)	“Snap-on Tools: Conservative Innovator” / by Richard H. Keehn, chapter from Kenosha Retrospective: a Biographical Approach / by John A. Neuenschwander, 1981
Box   2 Folder   8	World wide sales index, 1967