The National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum
G.O. Carlson, Inc. — 1937
Site Name: G.O. Carlson, Inc.

Location: Thorndale, Chester County

Dates of Operation: 1937 to Present

Owners: Gunard and Margaret Carlson

Historical Significance: In 1940, G. O. Carlson was the only site to make custom stainless steel products. Twice the company produced the world’s largest stainless steel plates. The company’s heavy plates went into chemical, oil, marine, aircraft, and space industries. Carlson was and is a pioneer in developing methods of forming, cutting, and processing stainless steel plates. Today Carlson has a large share of the American stainless industry and remains a privately held company, a unique title.