On the Road. . . the Hillerich & Bradsby Company

The Headings Girls & the Babe

Has anyone ever heard of the Hillerich & Bradsby Company? Do you know which product has given them world fame? If you guessed Louisville Slugger Baseball Bats you are correct!

In 1855, J. F. Hillerich opened a shop in Louisville, Kentucky. This shop specialized in wood products, primarily butter churns, porch columns, and stair railings. In 1884, Mr. Hillerich's son, Bud, invited a local major league baseball player to the shop to make a baseball bat. Initially, Mr. Hillerich thought the bats to be a waste of time, but he soon was allowing workers in the shop to make bats for local players. By 1894, the shop was doing so well, that Mr. Hellerich allowed his son, Bud, to take over the business. In 1894, the Hillerich family also registered a trademark for Louisville Slugger. Lousville Slugger was the highest selling baseball bat by the mid-1920s. Today the company sells an entire line of baseball gear, including gloves, helmets, and other baseball gear.