The Hawkeye Electric Manufacturing Company had its origin in Oskaloosa, Iowa in either 1886 or 1887. It manufactured incandescent and arc light dynamos, incandescent lamps, and electric motors. The company was established based on the patents of Frank Thone. Growth was quite rapid and new facilities were required by November 1887. The incandescent lamp and socket produced by them is shown to the left. The claim was that the lamp had long life and constant candle power, with no tendency to blacken. Regarding the socket the claim was2:
"The merit of the socket, the company claims, consists in the use of a slide to make or break the circuit, instead of a key socket. The advantage in using the slide is that it is positive in its action, and one hand is sufficient to switch the lamp on or off. The socket and lamp are fastened together by a bayonet slot."In the November 24, 1888 issue of the Western Electrician it was announced3 that the Oskaloosa company sold its entire business to the organization of the same name in Davenport, Iowa. As of January 23, 1889 all business transactions were made out of Davenport. The company in Davenport was incorporated October 26, 18888.
More on Hawkeye base and socket can be found under Section 10 of this website; look for "Hawkeye Base and Socket" and "Incandescent Lamp Sockets in Use Before Standardization." In addition, Thone's patents are listed in a separate writing10.
References
1) 1887 Oskaloosa City Directory, pg 40.
2) "Hawkeye Electric Company", Western Electrician, Vol 2, No 13, Mar 31, 1888, pg 159.
3) Business Mention, Western Electrician, Vol 3, No 21, Nov 24, 1888, pg 275.`
4) "The New Thone Electric Motor", Western Electrician, Vol 3, No 23, Dec 8, 1888, pg 289.
5) Business Mention, Western Electrician, Vol 3, No 23, Dec 8, 1888, pg 300.
6) Business Mention, Western Electrician, Vol 4, Feb 2, 1889, pg 66.
7) "Hawkeye Electric Motors", Western Electrician, Vol 4, Feb 16, 1889, pg 90.
8) "The Hawkeye Electric Company", Western Electrician, Vol 4, May 4, 1889, pg 241.
9) Business Mention, Western Electrician, Vol 7, No 15, Oct 11, 1890, pg 202.
10) Edward J. Covington, The Electric Incandescent Lamp, 1880-1925, Nela Press, E. Cleveland, Ohio, 1998, pg 15.