Source: Rockford Register Star, July 14, 2021.
Atwood Industries
Veterans Who Have Passed–Victor Anthony Zysk, Jr.
Source: Rockford Register Star, Feb. 3, 2019.
Robert Smith 1928-2020
Rockford’s Top Employers, 1980 and 2005 – 2008 article
Source: Rockford Register Star December 21, 2008
Fry, Willard “Bill”
Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company
Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company
“Men, Motors and Markets”
Page 1: Among the pioneer producers of automobile parts was the Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company of Rockford
It was founded in 1909 by two brothers: J. T. and S. B. Atwood
Mr. Seth B. Atwood is still active as Chairman of the Board (1959)
This special edition of “Men, Motors and Markets” is issued in commemoration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of that event
Page 163-164: In 1916 Seth Atwood invented a ‘door bumper’ that stopped door rattling
During the middle 1920’s, the Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company had a yearly output of $21 million of those adjustable steel strappings with rubber inserts for doors
Today (1959), the company manufactures a complete line of body hardware for cars; hood, door and trunk hinges; seat adjusters, door latches, brake mechanisms, and other assemblies
Source: “Men, Motors and Markets” Rockford Public Library Local History Collection, R338.476292 R962M
Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company
Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company
Founded in 1909 to manufacture vacuum cleaners
Run by Seth B. Atwood from 1909-1952
In 1953 Seth B. Atwood became President of the Board of Directors and Seth G. Atwood became President
Eventually the company manufactured automobile hardware
Source: Rockford Register Star, 02/25/2010
Seth G. Atwood
Seth Glanville Atwood, son of Seth B. and Helen Mae (Glanville) Atwood
Died Sunday 02/21/2010 at age 92, the longtime leader of the Atwood family business interests
He introduced “The Scanlon Plan”, a type of gain sharing plan that paid a bonus to employees
He served on dozens of boards, was a longtime leader in civic causes, especially education
He was on the Community Education Task Force, formed in 1992, and was an early backer of charter schools
He was a collector of over 3,000 timepieces, and opened the Time Museum in 1970
The Time Museum closed when the family sold the Clock Tower Resort

In 1910, brothers James and Seth B. Atwood (father of Seth G. Atwood), moved to Rockford
They formed Atwood Vacuum Machine Tool Company
Seth G. Atwood took over the family industries in 1953
In 1985 he sold Atwood Industries to John Anderson of Anderson Industries
He had an MBA from Harvard University in 1940, and a BA from Stanford University
He managed several family businesses from banking to venture capital to and real estate
He was involved in developing a three wheeled, energy efficient car at the 1984 Chicago Auto Show
In 1971 he founded the Time Museum, located at the Clock Tower Resort
When the museum closed in 1999, the timepieces were sold to the City of Chicago for $20 million
He was a founding member of the American section of the Antiquarian Horological Society

Survived by children Mr. and Mrs. Seth Lang (Connie) Atwood of Boulder City, NV; Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Triner (Patricia) Atwood of Rockford and Mr. and Mrs. Paul (Diane Atwood) Reilly of Chicago
Predeceased by wife Patricia J. Lang Atwood of River Forest and sister Barbara Mae Atwood of Rockford
A memorial gathering will be held at Rockford Country Club, arrangements by Olson Funeral Home and Crematory, private graveside service at Greenwood Cemetery, memorials to The Independent Institute, Oakland
Source: Rockford Register Star, 02/24/2010