The year was 1917. The US officially entered the first world war, Bolshevik forces abdicated the Russian Czar, and a group of investors created a forward-thinking manufacturing company in the quiet town of Dane, Wisconsin.
Named in recognition of their town, Dane Manufacturing Company (Dane) sought to revolutionize products for the agricultural market. Their first great success began with a simple yet powerful idea—an automatic hog feeder that became the gold standard for livestock feeding.
More than a century later, Dane partnered with Anderson Archival to digitize its historical records—preserving its legacy and making its history accessible for future generations. Among the materials we worked with were the original documents detailing the development of that first breakthrough: the Automatic Hog Feeder.
A Patent That Sparked a Legacy
Anderson Archival found many treasures while digitizing Dane’s corporate history that told a fascinating story all on their own. Such as how Dane went from general manufacturer to leading the way in the agricultural industry with the invention of the Automatic Supply Hog Feeder. This innovative design, officially patented to Dane’s leading inventor, Robert O. Dohm, on June 1, 1920, introduced a new way to feed hogs efficiently and consistently. The hourglass-like mechanism ensured a steady flow of feed, reducing waste and labor for farmers.
We also found Dane to have some savvy marketers. In 1927, they registered a trademark for the slogan “Can’t Clog Hog Feeder,” a rebranding which more aptly addressed one of the most frustrating issues in livestock feeding—clogging. The clever invention combined with clear brand awareness turned the Automatic Supply Hog Feeder into a staple of the agricultural industry.
After the commercial success of the Automatic Supply Hog Feeder, Dane branched out into contract manufacturing, which they continue to this day. Dane weathered the storm of supply line issue and material shortages imposed during World War II through innovation and a strong vision for the future. Today, Dane is an award-winning company with a 510,000 square foot manufacturing facility and state-of-the-art technology run by trained and experienced employees.
A Legacy of Thoughtful Stewardship
Because of its long history, Dane wanted to make sure that their future held onto the legacy of its early days. They wanted a partner that knew what they were doing, and that would care about Dane’s history as much as they do. We’re pleased to have been a small part of their story.
