Popular Science, Vol. 151, No. 6, Dec. 1947, Pg. 195
The company manufactured the Bench-King vise circa 1947. It was cast bronze with tool steel fingers to hold the work, and was suitable for cutting templates and dies. Benjamin Uydess, a native of Odessa, Ukraine, was a machinist and inventor in the Bronx, New York City. He trained at the Baron de Hirsch Trade-School in New York City and built decorative iron fences. He then became a tool and die maker, apparently making dies for metal buttons and metalware. He invented a security checkwriter which was manufactured by others, but we do not yet have a patent number.
Information Sources
- American Machinist, Vol. 91, No. 23, Nov. 6, 1947, Pg. 168.
- Ancestry.com genealogy records for Benjamin Uydess (June 19, 1889 - Nov. 20, 1953).
- Exchange of messages with a Uydess family member Aug. 17, 2021.
- U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, Benjamin Uydess, occupation: machinist, Hill Button Works.
- U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, Benjamin Uydess, employer's name: World Metal Spinning [Corp.].
- Link to article on the Baron de Hirsch Trade-School.