Alonzo G. Decker Jr.

Alonzo G. "Al" Decker Jr. (1908–2002) was an engineer who served as the Chairman of the Board of Black & Decker.[1] A graduate of Cornell University in electrical engineering, he is known for developing power tools for use in the home, including the first cordless electric drill, which helped create the do it yourself market.[2][3][4][5]

Background

The son of Alonzo G. Decker Sr., founder of Black & Decker,[6] grew up in Towson, Maryland and graduated from the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Throughout his life he was an active philanthropist.[7][8]

References

1. Kelly, Jaques; Frederick N Rasmussen (2002-03-23). "Alonzo G. Decker Jr., 94; Engineer, Power Tool Innovator". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
2. "Alonzo Decker Jr". 20th Century American Leaders Database, Harvard Business School. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
3. "Alonzo and Virginia Decker bequeath $4.3 million to Washington College -". MyEasternShoreMD. 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
4. "Last Decker Leaves Power Tool Company". The New York Times. p. 9.
5. Saxon, Wolfgang (20 March 2002). "A.G. Decker, Power Tool Developer, 94". The New York Times. p. 27.
6. Somerville, Sean (1997-01-05). "Alonzo G. Decker: He's still a company man Founder's son: Alonzo G. Decker Jr., son of one of the founders of Black & Decker, helped spark the do-it-yourself movement. As he approaches his 89th birthday, he maintains his connection to the family business". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
7. "Named Professorships, Deanships, and Directorships -- Alonzo G. Decker Chair in Mechanical Engineering". The Johns Hopkins University. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
8. "A Legacy of Invention: Alonzo G. Decker—inventor, businessman, philanthropist". One Magazine, Johns Hopkins, Carey Business School. 1 (No. 1). 2008. Archived from the original on 2011-09-10. Retrieved 2014-01-22.