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Largest Stove in the World Refurbished with Chrysler's Help

25 August 1998

Largest Stove in the World Refurbished with Chrysler's Help

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 24 -- Everyone knows that Detroit
is the Motor Capital, but many didn't know that it was once considered the
Stove Capital.  As Detroit's rich history shows, the infrastructure
established by the stove industry's manufacturing power ultimately led to
manufacturing the automobile in Detroit.  Thus, it is fitting that Chrysler
used its automotive technology to assist in refurbishing the "World's Largest
Stove" for the 150th anniversary of the Michigan State Fair.
    Chrysler was responsible for recreating the shields that read "Garland
Stove Ranges," which flank the stove.  Computer-aided design (CAD) tools along
with hands-on skills of tradesmen were used to recreate the original shields.
Employees worked from drawings and pictures of the original panels to create a
CAD model.  A clay model for the garland was also scanned into CAD to complete
the computer recreation.  The final step for Chrysler included the milling of
the computer creations into mahogany.  The 6'10" by 5'1" panels took
Chrysler's employees approximately 3 weeks to complete.
    "Again, Chrysler has an opportunity to give back to the Detroit Community
and  participate in the revival of a significant historic symbol," said W.
Frank Fountain, Chrysler's Vice President of Government Affairs.  "After all,
the stove industry, like the motor vehicle industry, has contributed to the
growth of the City.  They were both born, raised and grew to maturity in
Detroit."
    The stove will be unveiled today at 6:30 p.m. at the Michigan State
Fairgrounds in a special ceremony with Governor John Engler.
    The Fairgrounds displayed the stove, originally built in 1893, from 1965
until 1974 when the condition of the stove deteriorated.  It was dismantled
and placed into storage until now.  The historic stove will remain on display
at the Michigan State Fair Grounds.
    Visit Chrysler's Media Relations Web Site at http://www.media.chrysler.com
for additional Chrysler news.