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Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee

A City's History of Innovation and Enterprise

Engineer, author, and historian Thomas H. Fehring joins us for a talk about Milwaukee's earliest manufacturing enterprises, based on his book The Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee.

Join engineer, author and historian Thomas H. Fehring for a presentation on his recent book, The Magnificent Machines of Milwaukee.  Learn about Milwaukee’s earliest manufacturing enterprises, located on the banks of the Milwaukee River, and the role of Bryan Kilbourn’s canal in making hydro-power available to early companies.

This talk will explore the historical industrial corridor that lined both sides of the Milwaukee River all the way to Capitol Drive. Fehring highlights the groundbreaking work of the companies that operated there, the ingenuity of their employees, and the lasting impact they had on the City of Milwaukee.

Part of America 250: Celebrating 250 years of American history.

About the Author: Tom Fehring is an engineer by training and practice, having worked for thirty-five years at “keeping the lights on” at Wisconsin Energy Corporation and its various subsidiaries. He also worked for a time at Falk Corporation, Briggs & Stratton and Ford Motor Company.  He was born and grew up in Milwaukee in the shadows of the A.O. Smith factory. Tom attended Marquette University and attained bachelor and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering.  Tom and his wife Suzan are long-time residents of the Milwaukee area, where they raised three children and now have 10 grandkids.

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