 | |
| Predecessor | Leedy-Cooley Manufacturing Company |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1902 |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana Elkhart, Indiana |
Key people | Ulysses G. Leedy, President (1902–1929) Herman E. Winterhoff, Vice President (1902–1930) George H. Way, Sales Manager (1921–1946; 1948–1955) |
| Parent | C. G. Conn (1929–1955) Slingerland (1955–1986) Gretsch (1986–present) |
The Leedy Manufacturing Company (also known as the Leedy Drum Company) was an American manufacturer of percussion instruments headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Leedy was highly successful in the early twentieth century,[1] and was at one point the largest manufacturer of drums and other percussion instruments in the world.[2][3]
The company was formed by Ulysses. G. Leedy as the Leedy-Cooley Manufacturing Company with partner Sam Cooley in 1897 before the partnership was dissolved in 1902 to become simply the Leedy Manufacturing Company. It was purchased by C. G. Conn of Elkhart, Indiana, where it was later combined with Ludwig & Ludwig to form Leedy & Ludwig. When C. G. Conn sold its drum divisions, the Slingerland Drum Company bought the rights to Leedy and produced drums under its badge until the 1960s. Slingerland was ultimately purchased by Gretsch, and with it, Leedy, where the brand has lain relatively dormant since.[4]
The company was responsible for many innovations in percussion but is best known for the invention of the vibraphone and the creation of the Purdue Big Bass Drum.
- ^ Early, Robert (May 19, 1929). "Leedy Company Boasts World's Largest Drum Factory; Manufacturers Nine Hundred Articles". The Indianapolis Star. p. 6.
- ^ Brennan 2020, p. 115.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Bowles, Edmund A. (January 31, 2014). "Leedy". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.a2256968. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0.