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The Roaring Twenties:
Clark Goes Coast-To-Coast.
After World War I, America was
ready for the economic boom of the Roaring 20's. Clark was poised
to share in the coming prosperity by becoming the first company
in Columbus to nationally advertise in 1919. A year later, Clark
opened the twenties by becoming the first grave vault company
to distribute nationally.
Clark in the Thirties:
Innovation Under Adversity
The Stock Market Crash of 1929
and the resulting Great Depression did not stop
Clark from innovating. The
early thirties brought the introduction of the solid copper vault
in both 10 and 12 gauge materials. In 1934 the renowned Clark
Custodian vault,
1934: Clark's revolutionary
Custodian
Vault press, which
formed vaults from a single
piece of metal.
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formed from a single piece
of metal was invented by Allen F. Beck at a cost of more than
$100,000, quite a sum for research, development and equipment
in the thirties. Back then, the primary definition of word "Custodian"
was "a keeper of fine things." |
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"We're proud of all
of our accomplishments over the years," says Dave Beck,
President of Clark Grave Vault Company. "But our wartime
sacrifices were, to paraphrase Churchill, 'our finest hour'." |
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In the middle thirties,
the firm continued its inventive streak. Clark introduced the
first
1945:Mortuary Management
cover features Allen F. Beck receiving Army-Navy "E"
award from U.S. Defence Department. |
galvanized vault, its protection
enhanced by an alloy of zinc and steel. In reaction to the reduced
buying power of Depression-era American families, Clark introduced
the value-priced Sentinel and Shield vaults. |
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