Florenz Kitten Case Analysis

Evolution. The word generally used to describe the change in the genes of humans from generation to generation to adapt to their environment, but the definition also states that it is any process of growth or development. Evolution, in this case, can be successfully used in either context. Florenz Kitten adapted the design of the steam engine to work for the landscape of the region and manufactured them at his shop, the Kitten Foundry and Machine Work, later renamed the Ferdinand Foundry and Machine Works (Sonderman 57). Years later, after electric and gas power have erased all need for steam products, few steam engine still exist. Although the Ferdinand Foundry and Machine Works in Ferdinand, Indiana no longer continues production, the

Two years after ownership passed from father to son, Joseph Kitten handed off the operation to John Hassfurther and John Reinacker who ran the business under the name of the Ferdinand Foundry and Machine Works. Then in 1914 the Foundry operated under Joseph Kitten once again until his death four years later. His wife, Elizabeth, and her father, Tony Buschkoetter, then took over the reins of the business. In January of 1931, Joseph Bickwemert leased the business, and in December of 1935 he became the only owner of the Ferdinand Machine Company. The company became the property of Leo Schipp, and Mike and Fintan Stallings in July of 1945 when they continued to use the same name until the year 1952. In this year the incorporation of the business took place and it became the Dubois County Machine Company, Inc. The Ferdinand Development Corporation bought the property in March of 1960, making various improvements and then using the buildings of the Ferdinand Machine Company as warehouses. (Sondermann 57) To preserve the history of the Ferdinand Foundry, antique connoisseurs collect and rehabilitate the fruits of the machine