Other Items Made by Prime and Subcontractors

Dayton Racquet Company Defense Work Moving to South Albright St. in Arcanum from Dayton in 1934, the Dayton Racquet Company was the only manufacturer of steel string and steel frame racquets in the world. During the years of operations; tennis, badminton, squash, racquetball, and paddle tennis racquets were manufactured. After World War ll, the sales of racquets were mostly to schools and playgrounds with nationwide distribution. In April 1942 Dayton Racquet Company was awarded a contract to manufacture the bolt for the Ml, MlAl, and M2 Carbine rifle as a subcontractor of the Inland Manufacturing, Division of General Motors in Dayton. Inland Manufacturing was the largest producer of carbine rifles during WW ll. The contract necessitated that R. B. Munday, company president; store the racquet manufacturing equipmento make room for new machinery, leased from the Cincinnati Ordinance Department. After samples of the cartridge bolts were submitted and approved in July, full production began in September with around 65 employees. Production increased with additional employees being added to operate additional shifts, with a cafeteria opened at the factory to furnish food for the workers. Arcanum's sole defense plant was awarded the Army-Navy award on July S, 1944 during an open-air ceremony at the plant. This award was given to plants where the production of war materials was excellent. The award was celebrated with a grand picnic for the plant employees and their families held at Wayne Lakes on Saturday, July 8. Prizes amounting to $200.00 were awarded for various contests, and a grand lunch was served under the "Big Top". The war effort at the plant continued with as many as 240 people employed, with work force at times spread to three shifts. ln April I 945 production was reduced to 60 percent and by August the contract was cancelled. lmmediately the plant began to reconverto the manufacture of the steel racquets. By the end of the war production the factory employees decreased from 24O to 25. E. Louis Munday became the sole owner after his brother R. B. Munday retired from the business at the end of I 945. Ted Munday, son of Louis, continued operation of the Racquet Company until December 23,1995 when the last racquet was made.