Franklin W. Olin Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 37-5-4218

Scope and content

A certificate of Franklin Olin's appointment as a Corporal in the Cornell Corps of Cadets dated May 5, 1882 and signed by Andrew D. White; framed display of 7 ribbons awarded to Olin for athletic activity and field day exercises while an undergraduate - including tug-of-war, putting-the-shot, throwing hammer and throwing baseball; display of three mounted photographs of Franklin Olin, Frank Sheehan, Edmund Ezra Day, S. C. Hollister, and Thomas I. S. Boak on August 22, 1942 commemorating Olin's home run, which struck Sage Chapel - includes an inscription describing the event.

Dates

1882-1942,-1882-1883 (bulk)

Creator

Olin, Franklin W., 1860-1951. (Person)

Language of Material

In English.

Biographical / Historical

Franklin W. Olin studied civil engineering at Cornell University (class of 1885), where he also played baseball. He is credited with hitting one of the longest home runs in Ithaca, NY, approximately 175 to 180 yards. In 1892, Olin founded the Equitable Powder Company and the Mathieson Alkali Works, which eventualy became the Olin Corporation. He formed the Western Cartridge Company in 1898 to manufacture ammunition, and during World War I diversified into brassmaking for use in cartridge shells. In 1931 Olin acquired the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. After World War II, Franklin Olin retired from management of the firm, leaving it to his sons John and Spencer.