Kurt Ziebart
Kurt Ziebart (27 July 1920 – 12 September 2011) was a German-born American who is best known for inventing the rustproofing process for automobiles.[1]
Early years
Ziebart was born on 27 July 1920[2] in West Prussia, Germany, before it became part of Poland. He served in the German Army during World War II.[3] After the war, Ziebart became an auto mechanic before coming to the United States in 1953. He landed in Detroit, where he worked at a Packard factory outlet that housed several auto dealerships.
Rustproofing
It was while working in a Detroit body shop that Ziebart saw the effects of rust and began looking for a way to protect cars against it. That is when he developed the process to rust proof automobiles. The process is often called "Ziebart-ing" or "Ziebart-ed", the generic term for rustproofing.[4][5]
in 1959, he founded Auto Rustproofing Company with two other investors, and opened the first shop in Detroit on Harper Avenue.[6] The company's first franchise was sold in 1962.[6]
Later years
In 1963, Kurt Ziebart sold his rustproofing company to an investor group. He also sold the rights to the name Ziebart which he registered with the company's trademark, a helmet and shield design. In addition, he sold the rights to the exclusive tooling designed by Ziebart.[6] By 2011, the company he had founded, now called Ziebart International, had grown to over 400 shops in 30 countries.[1]
Death
Kurt Ziebart died at his home in Williamsburg, Michigan on 12 September 2011. He was 91. No cause was given.[1][7]
References
- ^ a b c Nussel, Philip (September 16, 2011). "Rustproofing pioneer Kurt Ziebart dies at age 91". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Kurt-Ziebart-92339192
- ^ https://www.facebook.com/notes/ziebart-indonesia/passing-of-ziebart-founder/10150498845956950/
- ^ http://www.mlive.com/auto/index.ssf/2011/09/auto_rust-proofing_pioneer_kur.html
- ^ http://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/ziebart-kurt
- ^ a b c "About Us". Ziebart International. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2016-04-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)