Frederick C. Crawford
Encyclopedia
Frederick Coolidge Crawford (March 19, 1891 - December 9, 1994) was an American industrialist and philanthropist
. He was also the president of Thompson Products, Inc. (which later became part of TRW
) and a major promoter of the National Air Races
in Cleveland.
Crawford was born in Watertown, Massachusetts
and went to Harvard College
graduating magna cum laude for his B.A., and in 1916, earned his Masters of Engineering. Soon after he moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked as a millwrights assistant. During World War II
, Thompson Products and Crawford did their patriotic duty by manufacturing auto and aviation components critical to the allied war effort. In 1957 he was awarded the Franklin Institute
's Vermilye Medal. In 1993 he was elected to the National Aviation Hall of Fame. He had previously been elected to the Business Hall of Fame and the Automotive Hall of Fame.
He was recognized worldwide for his leadership in the automotive and aviation industries, as a pioneer in the human relations field (who kept management–labor strife to a minimum at Thompson and TRW by providing effective channels for worker grievances and collective bargaining), and a leader in the philanthropic community in Cleveland, Ohio
. As head of Thompson Products for more than 25 years, Crawford oversaw the company's transformation from an automotive and aircraft parts manufacturer to a leader in the aviation and aerospace industries.
For many years, Crawford collected antique automobiles. His original motivation was simply that he saw historical value in saving certain early examples that, before the 1950s, were generally not valued by anyone except at their scrap
value. The collection became known as the "Auto Album". The collection was housed by TRW before being donated to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
of the Western Reserve Historical Society
.
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
. He was also the president of Thompson Products, Inc. (which later became part of TRW
TRW
TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including electronic components, integrated circuits, computers, software and systems engineering. TRW built many spacecraft,...
) and a major promoter of the National Air Races
National Air Races
The National Air Races were a series of pylon and cross-country races that took place in the United States from 1920 to 1949. The science of aviation, and the speed and reliability of aircraft and engines grew rapidly during this period; the National Air Races were both a proving ground and...
in Cleveland.
Crawford was born in Watertown, Massachusetts
Watertown, Massachusetts
The Town of Watertown is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,915 at the 2010 census.- History :Archeological evidence suggests that Watertown was inhabited for thousands of years before the arrival of settlers from England...
and went to Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
graduating magna cum laude for his B.A., and in 1916, earned his Masters of Engineering. Soon after he moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked as a millwrights assistant. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Thompson Products and Crawford did their patriotic duty by manufacturing auto and aviation components critical to the allied war effort. In 1957 he was awarded the Franklin Institute
Franklin Institute
The Franklin Institute is a museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and one of the oldest centers of science education and development in the United States, dating to 1824. The Institute also houses the Benjamin Franklin National Memorial.-History:On February 5, 1824, Samuel Vaughn Merrick and...
's Vermilye Medal. In 1993 he was elected to the National Aviation Hall of Fame. He had previously been elected to the Business Hall of Fame and the Automotive Hall of Fame.
He was recognized worldwide for his leadership in the automotive and aviation industries, as a pioneer in the human relations field (who kept management–labor strife to a minimum at Thompson and TRW by providing effective channels for worker grievances and collective bargaining), and a leader in the philanthropic community in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
. As head of Thompson Products for more than 25 years, Crawford oversaw the company's transformation from an automotive and aircraft parts manufacturer to a leader in the aviation and aerospace industries.
For many years, Crawford collected antique automobiles. His original motivation was simply that he saw historical value in saving certain early examples that, before the 1950s, were generally not valued by anyone except at their scrap
Scrap
Scrap is a term used to describe recyclable and other materials left over from every manner of product consumption, such as parts of vehicles, building supplies, and surplus materials. Unlike waste, scrap has significant monetary value...
value. The collection became known as the "Auto Album". The collection was housed by TRW before being donated to the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum
The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, is a museum in the University Circle neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Part of the Western Reserve Historical Society, it was founded by industrialist, Frederick C. Crawford, of TRW and opened in 1965...
of the Western Reserve Historical Society
Western Reserve Historical Society
The Western Reserve Historical Society was founded in 1867, making it the oldest cultural institution in Northeast Ohio. WRHS is located in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.-About:...
.