Mark Eyelet and Stamping Inc. developed and manufactured the Duo-Mite bench bender beginning in July, 1975. The benders are now made by Oxford General Industries, Inc., Prospect, CT. The original bender could accommodate wire up to 5/16 inch (7.938 mm) and flat bar stock up to 1 inch by 1/18 inch (25.4 mm x 3.175 mm). Currently, three models are available, with the least expensive having the same capacities as the original.
Mark Eyelet and Stamping was founded in 1957 by Fred Rinaldi, who built his factory almost single-handedly in under five months. Oxford General Industries, Inc. was founded in 1947 by Mr. Lou Voegeli Sr. in his garage, and is now managed by the second generation of the family and is a woman-owned business.
Information Sources
- Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Vol. 944, Mar. 30, 1976, Pg. TM-260.
- Commercial News USA, July-Aug. 1979, Pg. 53.
- Hartford Courant, Apr. 28, 1957, Pg. 149.