New Process Gear

A brief departure from the Tri-Cities. I lived for several years in Syracuse, the Salt City, the city where your feet are never dry or warm. One of the major industries there was New Process Gear. Just recently the long tradition of auto parts manufacture in Syracuse ended with the closing of its final incarnation, New Venture Gear. Founded in 1888, New Process Gear was part of Chrysler for many years. And what was this new process? Gears made of leather. I’m completely serious. Here’s a pair of 1907 ads (“Horseless Age” magazine)  from the New Process Raw Hide Company.