[Trade Journal]
Publication: Bulletin of the American Ceramic Society
Columbus, OH, United States
vol. 11, no. 5, p. 191, col. 1-2
NECROLOGY
Fred M. Locke
Fred M. Locke, inventor of the porcelain insulator, died suddenly at his home in Victor, N. Y., April 15, 1930. The death on March 5, 1930, of his son and co-worker, Fred J. Locke, was a severe strain upon him and undoubtedly hastened his death.
Mr. Locke was born in West Mendon in the town of Honeoye Falls, April 24, 1861. After attending the common schools, he became a telegrapher and followed that occupation from 1880 to 1887. He became interested in electricity and while operator and agent at the New York Central Railroad Station in Victor he spent much of his spare time in experiments. Having noticed the breaking down of insulators during storms he sought a form and material that would not allow the leakage caused by moisture, and succeeded in producing a porcelain that had the desired qualities. His first experiments were made in his kitchen.
He constructed a kiln in which to fire the porcelain and in 1898 began the manufacture of the Locke porcelain insulators at Victor.
The business was incorporated in 1902 and now, under the name of the Locke Insulator Corporation, operates large plants in Victor and Baltimore. In 1904 Mr. Locke retired from active business but continued to carry on experiments in a large laboratory in his home.
Mr. Locke had been associated with the AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY since 1906 and his company has carried a corporation membership since 1924.
This is a brief sketch of the accomplishments of a boy of common "three-R’s" education; born in 1861, a telegraph operator from the age of 19 to 27; realized the necessity for and discovered the composition, the tools, and the process of high-tension porcelain insulators; began their manufacture in 1898 at the age of 37, and sold the business to a Corporation in 1902 at the age of 41.
Thus, a boy, without formal schooling, without knowledge or experience in pottery making, and with no precedent, in the short span of 41 years created a new product and developed it to meet an exacting heavy duty, and had retired. What a lesson and an inspiration!
