Brown Industries: From Sheet Metal to Airplanes
Brown Metal Works started as a sheet metal production business but during World War 2 the Brown Brothers' passion for aviation led to shifting the companies focus.
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During the Second World War businesses across the nation began to shift their production to help focus on supporting the war effort. One such business located in Spokane was Brown Metal Works, later called Brown Industries.
Located on the corner at East Sprague Ave and North Grant St., Brown Metal Works was founded in 1889 by six brothers who moved to Spokane after the Great Fire and began manufacturing sheet metal products. The company moved away from producing roof shingles and other sheet metal construction materials and began producing buses, dump trucks, trailers, and other metal automobile parts.
In 1929, brothers Thoburn and William Brown took over the family business. Thoburn was interested in aviation and in 1930 the two brothers unveiled their first all-metal airplane design. They produced two more planes, but ultimately the economic downturn forced them to focus on the more profitable automobile.
When the United States entered World War II Brown Metal Works, now Brown Industries, moved production to Felts Field and gained contracts to produce parts for military aircraft under Boeing, Lockheed, and Douglas. Using aluminum from the nearby Kaiser Aluminum plant Brown produced parts for B-17 bombers and A-26 attack-bomber planes.
After the war, Brown Industries returned to producing automobiles. Brown was contracted to outfit a local bookmobile and in the end, produced one of the first aluminum-bodied cargo vans in the country. Brown was able to expand to a nationwide market with this new line of vehicles. In 1959 Brown Industries was bought by Clark Equipment Company a business out of Michigan. Today after changing owners and parent companies several times Brown Cargo Van Inc based in Kansas still produces trucks and moving equipment.
Files
Brown Metal Works on First
The first prototype all-metal airplane produced by Brown Metal Works. Prior to 1935 airplanes were made mostly from wood. Thoburn and William Brown wanted to take their skills as sheet metal workers and apply them to avionics to create new all-metal constructed frames. | Source: Brown, Thoburn, 1907-2002, “Spokane -- Industries -- Brown Metal Works (#07),” Spokane Public Library, https://lange.spokanelibrary.org/items/show/1223. | Date: 1934
Moyer Stage Line Bus at Brown Industries
Prior to the US participation in WWII, Brown Industries was a major producer of metal vehicles including buses, trailers, and delivery trucks. After the War ended Brown would return to manufacturing trailers. | Source: L87-1.12360-37 The Eastern Washington State Historical Society Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture | Date: 1937
Women Working with Metal Pieces
During the Second World War with so many young men fighting in Europe and the Pacific, there was an early shortage of workers in the many facilities that began producing material to support the war effort. Businesses throughout the country began to employ women in a previously unseen amount to fill in the gaps in the labor force. Brown Industries was no different and between 1941 and 1945 over 30% of its fabrication staff were women. | Source: L87-1.29405-43 The Eastern Washington State Historical Society Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture | Date: 1943
Women Working at Brown Industries
Source: L87-1.29417-43 The Eastern Washington State Historical Society Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture | Date: 1943
Inside Brown Industries Production Plant
During the war jobs throughout the country had incredibly high turnover rates. It was vital for the government to encourage workers to stay and continue to support the war effort. Facilities like Brown Industries that produced important vehicle parts often held events during the lunch break to help keep morale up. There even was a wedding held during one lunch break. | Source: L87-1.29426-43 The Eastern Washington State Historical Society Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture | Date: 1943