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The Fred Arbogast Company was founded in 1930, by none other than, yep - you guessed it - Fred Arbogast. Fred Arbogast was born in 1893 and as a young child - was an avid fisherman. Fred spent nearly every free moment fishing and casting in the lakes and ponds, in and around Akron. His hard work would not go unrecognized - as he earned two world's records in bait casting and distance. Fred graduated high school in 1913 - and from there went to work at the Goodyear Rubber Company (in Akron). During his free time, Fred tinkered with new bait designs. After a few years of tinkering with baits - it seemed as though Fred finally had made a bait that worked - an all metal minnow, with a single hook, and metal tail. He dubbed it the Tin Liz, and it became a success! Fred began receiving an immense amount of requests for the Tin Liz, so many in fact that he quit his job at the Goodyear factory, and devoted his time to producing his baits. In 1930 Fred moved into a house at 313 West North Street in Akron - and from there he began to develop other lures. Soon the Hawaiin Wiggler, Jitterbug, and Hula Popper would join the Tin Liz, among other baits. Altogether, Fred developed eleven baits, but what may be his most influential innovation (try saying that 10 times fast!) was the Hula Skirt - a lively rubber skirt to be added to baits. Fred Arbogast died in 1947 - while ice skating near his home. Just prior to his death he had moved his company to a new building on North Street - not far from his home. At the time of his death - the Fred Arbogast Co. was the largest bass tackle manufacturer of it's time! After his death, Fred's wife incorporated the business as Fred Arbogast & Company inc. and in 1953 the company was sold to a group of investors who reincorporated it as Fred Arbogast Company Inc. In 1957, Dick Kotis - a young kent state football coach - was hired as the company's new president. He held his post until 1988 - when he retired. Jitterbug History:The first Jitterbugs (1938 & 1939) were made out of a Cedar body - with metal lips and first style hardware (Refer to the Hardware pages to see examples). They lacked the name Jitterbug on the back. The Metal Lip was Marked "Jitterbug/MFD By/Fred Arbogast/Akron,Ohio". The advertised colors were Black Scale, White Scale, Yellow/Silver Ribs, Red Head/White Body, Frog, and Perch. Aside from a 2 hook model there is also a single hook model, although it is quite scarcer. In 1940 they changed to 2nd Style Hardware. Also in 1940 a Peanut Size model was introduced - as well as the 2 Hook Musky Jitterbug. Plastic Jitterbugs began to be manufactured in 1942 or 1943. The Musky Jitterbug was discontinued in 1942, and reintroduced in 1947 as a 3 Hook Model. Some World War 2 Era Baits (1942-1946) are found with Wooden bodies - but the majority are a plastic body. During World War two Jitterbugs were produced with plastic lips - because of metal shortages (war time - metal was conserved for was uses). However - not all plastic lips are from WW2 - Clear Plastic Lips were used in the 1980's as a short lived try. Plastic lips didnt fish very well. |