R. Max Eaton, an inventor and industrialist, used his position to help build Niagara Falls into an industrial powerhouse.
At the end of the 19th century, Eaton made good use of the infant electrical power industry to invent the searchlight. That was an era when electrical light bulbs were coming into popular use, but no one previously had considered making a powerful bulb to conduct searches.
Eaton formed the Niagara Searchlight Company to produce his invention. He built the new firm into a highly successful business. When he retired in 1942, he sold the business to the Chisolm Ryder Company.
Eaton was active in the community. He served in non-paid positions as a member of the police commission and of the board of education. He also was named to head the draft board necessitated by World War II.
The late city historian Edward T. Williams said one of Eaton's top contributions to the community was his service on the then-unique city Industrial Commission, a body formed to help promote and attract industry here to make use of the electrical energy generated by the falls.
The commission, sort of a forerunner of industrial development agencies, was in existence for over eight years and ended when the city manager form of government went into effect here on Jan. 1, 1916.
The commission was made up of the mayor, who presided, the president of the common council, the city treasurer and four citizens named by the mayor.
Williams said, "This commission appointed a city industrial agent to carry on the work under its direction and this work consisted of publicizing the city as to its advantages for industrial location and its attractions as a tourist resort."
The development of power, Williams noted, began with Joncaire's primitive sawmill powered by the upper rapids. It proceeded to the development of hydroelectric power, which Williams termed "the greatest story of the Niagara Frontier and one of the dramatic, romantic and nationally great stories of the civilized world."
The commission was formed during the administration of Mayor Anthony C. Douglass, and the industrial agent was George F. Nye.
Among citizens named by the mayor were George W. Whitehead (who later became mayor) and John L. Harper, chief engineer of the Hydraulic Power Company, and, of course, Eaton. Williams noted Eaton was well qualified to serve on the commission due to his scientific knowledge and business experience.
After Nye's term, historian Williams was named the industrial agent.
He wrote, "It was a period of many kinds of manufacturing, more than 50 kinds being listed at one time and the industrial commission working with the two great power companies had much to do with their location in the first place and their subsequent expansion and servicing."
The commission was instrumental in bringing to Niagara Falls such firms as the United States Light & Heat Company, the Spirella Company and the General Abrasive Company.
"In addition to being an inventive genius," Williams wrote, "Eaton was an organizer and an efficient business executive."
Eaton also was a world traveler and gave public talks about his travels to various Niagara Falls groups. Eaton died in 1944.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | Sept. 2 2008 |