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Henry Harnischfeger
1855 - 1930

A pioneer of the construction equipment industry, Henry Harnischfeger began a small machine and pattern shop with a partner in Milwaukee in 1884. Today, the impact of his vision and leadership extends world wide through the operation of P&H® mobile cranes for construction and other lifting applications.

Henry Harnsichfeger's contributions to the industry span two decades. This turn-of-the century industrialist was responsible for turning-point developments in construction equipment. He is credited with developing the first gasoline-powered dragline, which was a truck-mounted machine used for lifting, pile driving, clamming and dragging. He also developed and introduced the industry's first 3-motor electric traveling crane. These and many other innovations led to the development of a major line of international excavation equipment, trenchers, backfillers, tampers, power shovels and cranes.

Considered one of Milwaukee's foremost business leaders in its history, Henry Harnischfeger was an outstanding community leader, as well. He was an active member of the city's Chamber of Commerce, the Wisconsin Natural History Society and the Associated Charities of Milwaukee.

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