Vetco Offshore Industries records, 1943-1987., 1943-1987

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Summary

Title:
Vetco Offshore Industries records
Dates:
1943-1987
Abstract:
This collection contains the records of Vetco Offshore Industries, formerly known as the Ventura Tool Company, founded in Ventura County in 1930 by Fritz Huntsinger Sr.
Extent:
1.28 Cubic Feet (1 carton)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item],Vetco Offshore Industries records, MVC092, Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.

Background

Scope and content:

These records largely reflect the activities of Vetco Offshore Industries and, to a lesser extent, Vetco founder and president Fritz Huntsinger Sr. between 1930 and 1986. The records include photographs, newspaper clippings, news releases, annual reports, employee newsletters, product catalogs and financial information.

Biographical / historical:

Vetco Offshore Industries was founded in 1930 by Fritz Huntsinger Sr. after he purchased the failing Schwab-Lane Tool Company, an oilfield tool repair shop where he had previously been employed. Shortly thereafter, he renamed it the Ventura Tool Company. After struggling during the Great Depression, Ventura Tool Co. helped develop the initial core drilling equipment for small floating drill rigs off the California coast during the 1950s. Ventura Tool Company changed its name to Vetco Offshore Industries, Inc. in 1963. Carl Huntsinger became president of the company in 1969, replacing his father. Vetco was sold in the 1980s to Houston-based Combustion Engineering (C-E) and moved away from its original base in the Ventura Oil Field. Throughout its existence as Ventura Tool Company and Vetco Offshore Industries, it acquired several companies, became a global operation and produced notable innovations that both insured its success and significantly altered the industry.

Fritz Huntsinger Sr., founder and long-term president of Vetco Offshore Industries, was born on June 8, 1899 in Eimeldinger, Germany. He served in the German army in WWI. After the war, he graduated from Nuremburg University in Diesel Engineering and immigrated to the United States in 1923 when oil was just becoming a major industry in Ventura County. He was first employed as a helper at Schwab-Lane Tool Company, eventually becoming general foreman of the company. When the Lane Tool Company experienced financial difficulty during the Depression, he purchased it for $5,000 at a sheriff's auction in 1930. Shortly after the purchase, it was renamed the Ventura Tool Company and became the forerunner of Vetco Offshore Industries, which eventually repaired, designed and sold offshore drilling equipment on a global scale.

Fritz Huntsinger was known for his philanthropy and for pioneering numerous innovations that led to his successful oil tool companies. He invented the Tuboscope, the Split Drill Pipe Protector and co-developed the Nozzle Jet Bit with Jim Hanes. He helped fund the Ventura County Historical Museum and the Ventura Community Hospital. He furnished the hospital with the first brain and body scan machines west of Chicago. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Pepperdine University and received awards for his work with the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts of America. He passed away in 1986 in Ventura County.

Acquisition information:
Vetco; gift; 1987.
Processing information:

Processed by Ali Phelps under the supervision of Hannah Rogers, 2023.

Our collections are processed using MPLP methods so that we can prioritize access for users and identify potential priorities for more detailed processing. If while using our collections you think there is something that should be added or amended in the finding aid, we welcome your input. You can notify staff in the reading room or send us an email at library@venturamuseum.org Be sure to include the collection number and name and the box number you were working with in your email.

Arrangement:

Original order of materials has been maintained.

Physical location:
COLLECTION STORED ON-SITE: Stored at the MVC Research Library. Requests do not have to be made in advance, but researchers MUST make a research appointment on theResearch Library website.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared/updated by Ali Phelps, 2023 under the supervision of Hannah Rogers
Sponsor:
This finding aid was made possible in part through funding from the County of Ventura and the Heritage Fund at the Ventura County Community Foundation.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-04-18 19:40:04 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Advance requests can be made to Research Library staff via email.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the Museum of Ventura County. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the MVC.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item],Vetco Offshore Industries records, MVC092, Museum of Ventura County, Research Library, Ventura, California.

Location of this collection:
100 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001, US
Contact:
(805) 653-0323, ext 320
library@venturamuseum.org
Website