In December of 1897 William W. Flickinger of Cochranton, Pa., patented a variable-speed mechanism for a sensitive drill press. Only a month later a trade journal article reported that the drill was being manufactured by the W. W. Flickinger Iron Works of Cochranton. Three months after that, a classified ad appeared from Wm. W. Flickinger offering the patent rights for sale.

Based on a very few ads for used Flickinger sensitive drills, a few machines were manufactured but it appears that it was not a success. Nevertheless, the W. W. Flickinger Iron Works remained in business, and in 1902 it was announced that the Flickinger Iron Works had been incorporated to take over the businesses of the Bradford Gas Engine Co. and the Flickinger Iron Works of Cochranton; the new firm would be located in Bradford, Pa., in expanded premises, and the business would manufacture gas and gasoline engines. A 1904 catalog from the Works features "Bradford" gas engines, available in sizes up to 50 HP.

The company supplied engines and compressors to the booming oil fields of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Texas, but the company kept a fairly low profile. In 1914 it was announced that the business was relocating to Oil City, Pa., and the name would be changed to the Dresser Engine & Mfg. Co.

Information Sources

• 1898-01-13 The Iron Trade Review page 17, article: "An improved sensitive drill has been patented and is manufactured by the W. W. Flickinger Iron Works, of Cochranton, Pa."
• 1898-04-14 American Machinist page 37, ad. "Wanted: a purchaser for a valuable patent on drilling machine, illustrated in described in the Am. Mach. May 13, 1897. Wm. W. Flickinger, Cochranton, Pa."
• 1901-03-28 American Machinist page 49, "Miscellaneous Wants" column.

  Wanted—A good business man with $8,000, to take interest in gas-engine works; business already established; give full particulars. Flickinger Iron Works, Cochranton, Pa.

• June 1902 The Foundry page 168.

  The Bradford Gas Engine Co., Bradford, Pa., and the Flickinger Iron Works, of Cochranton, Pa., have been consolidated and will hereafter be known as the Flickinger Iron Works. The plant at Cochranton will be abandoned and in the future all of the work of the company will be done in Bradford. The buildings will be enlarged and the present output doubled.

• 1902 Public Documents of West Virginia, Volume 1, page 125. "FLICKINGER IRON WORKS INCORPORATED. Non-Resident. Manufacturing and dealing in gas and gasoline engines; principal office, Bradford, Penna.; charter issued May 1, 1902; expires May 1, 1952; authorized capital stock $50,000; subscribed $30,000; paid in $3,000; par value shares $100. Corporators, P. O. addresses and number of shares subscribed for by each: Z. T. Klinger, Bradford, Penna., 99; E. E. Clarke, Bradford, Penna., 99; W. W. Flickinger, Franklin, Penna., 100; R. W. Edgett, Bradford, 1; T. A. Gillis, Bradford, Penna., 1."
• 1904 issue of Gas Engine (Volume 6 page 283): "The Flickinger Iron Works, Bradford, Pa., have issued a new catalogue of their 'Bradford' gas engines, which are built in sizes up to 50 H. P."
• 1910 American Manufacturer and Trade of the West, Issues 39-52, page 15.

  The Flickinger Iron Works, Bradford, is running steadily and is well supplied with orders. The company manufactures gas driven air copmressors up to 1,400 feet capacity, gas engines to 200 horsepower, compressors for the manufacture of gasoline from natural gas, and a line of gas pumps.

  Recent installations made by the company are: Corliss Carbon Company, Bradford, a 50-horsepower gas engine; T. J. Kerwin, Duke Center, Pa., two 350-foot compressors; Phoenix Oil Company, Mt. Jewett, Pa., a 350-foot compressor; Case Cutlery Company, Bradford, one 15-horsepower and one 75-horsepower gas engine; J. D. Warren, Uvalde, Tex., a 250-foot compressor for irrigation purposes; Wood, Kennedy & Company, Kushequa, Pa., two 250-foot compressors; Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, Wheeling, W. Va., a 700-foot compressor. The company is preparing a shipment of a carload of compressors to Uvalde, Tex.

• February 1914 Mill Supplies page 73.

  It is reported that the Flickinger Iron Works, Bradford, Pa., will move to Oil City, Pa. The name will be changed to the Dresser Engine & Manufacturing Co. Probably 100 families will move at the time of the removal of the plant.

• American Gasoline Engines Since 1872 by C. H. Wendel, Volume #1, 1983 page 173
• The Complete Guide to Stationary Gas Engines by Mark Meincke, 1996 page 119