The Perfect Circle Co., Hagerstown, IN
Posted by: 
kbarhow
N 39° 54.355 W 085° 09.755
16S E 657061 N 4418931
Former location of the Perfect Circle Co., a manufacturer of piston rings for cars and other vehicles, as well as other vehicle related components. Ralph Tetor, a blind engineer, was president of the company.
Waymark Code: WM2NB6
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 11/25/2007
Views: 78
The company started out building rail inspector cars that were ridden like a bicycle. The plant here was started in 1895. They then began manufacturing engines to use on these cars, and eventually manufactured engines for other auto manufacturers. Their best know product was the piston ring, which greatly improved engine performance. Their rings became the standard for the industry.
Perfect Circle
Perfect Circle also made many products for the war effort during WW2. The company was eventually run by Ralph Tetor, a blind engineer who was quite inventive. One of his inventions is automobile cruise control.
Perfect Circle was eventually bought by Dana, and this plant was closed in 1995, after 100 years of operation. One of the former manufacturing buildings is now occupied by Autocar, a manufacturer of truck chassis.
Visit Instructions:A unique picture of the location would be appreciated. Try to include yourself or your group in the frame if you are not shy. Give your impressions of the location in your log.
You can also log a visit by including a photograph of one of the products made by the factory "in situ". You'll have to look it up. Log type should be "write note" in this case. Include a comment as to where you found the product and some other details you noted. Be sure to make it clear that product was made by the factory in question. Your posted image should clearly indicate this. When you post a visit of this type, please send a note to
kbarhow to indicate you have completed one of these.