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Otto Henze left Ocean City Reels and started his
own fishing reel company in 1932, called Penn Fishing Tackle Manufacturing
Company. He established his new company in a 3rd. floor loft at 492
North Third Street in Philadelphia, renting space from William Schmitz
& Co., General Machinists.
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The Mod F and the MOD K were Mr. Henze's first reels in 1932. The
Mod F was a 12-ounce surf casting reel with genuine bakelite side
plates. The Mod K had many of the same parts as the Mod F but with
a lever type free spool and metal reinforced side plates. Two types
of MOD K's were developed - one with a star drag, and one without.
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In 1933, Otto Henze began selling his reels to the general public.
The Mod F was renamed Sea Hawk; the Mod K without a star drag was
renamed Bayside; the MOD K with a star drag was renamed Long Beach.
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Guaranty -
Throughout this reel only the best suited of materials are used.
Each part is made carefully to size and is inspected before assembly.
This reel is guaranteed against defects in material and
workmanship forever.
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The company's first recorded sale occurred in February
1933 to the Miller Auto Supply Company of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Miller purchased one of each Penn reel - a Sea Hawk for $1.21, a Bayside
for $1.93 and a Long Beach for $2.48. Otto Henze was in business.
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1933 Price List
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1934 Price List
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The company doubled the number of reels it offered from 1933 to 1934.
Mr. Henze named his reels after the seaside communities on the Atlantic
and Pacific coasts. This branding strategy helped establish PENN as
a tackle company focused on "saltwater fishing." Most of
PENN Reels earliest models were built for the beach or bay fisherman.
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By the end of 1934, Penn sales were almost $48,000 annually, and the
company made its first profit - $1,500. The largest customer for Penn
in 1934 was the Edw. K. Tryon Company of Philadelphia, the same company
that built the legendary PENNEL fishing tackle brand in the late 1800's.
Tryon accounted for 41% of all Penn sales during 1934. Another large
customer (6% of sales) was the W. H. Hoegee Company of Los Angeles,
which helped build Penn sales in California. |
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Penn's growth in the early thirties was dramatic, especially considering
that America was at the height of the depression. Tough times proved
to be an advantage for the start-up company, since many people fished
for their food. Penn's affordable reels were just what the beach and
bay fisherman needed to put food on the table, day after day. |
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PENN sales grew 38% in 1935, as the company expanded distribution
up and down the east coast and west coast. The company also reduced
its dependence on Edw. K. Tryon which dropped to Penn's #2 customer
with 13% of total sales. Union Hardware & Metal Company became
Penn's #1 customer with 21% of company sales. |
PENN SALES
1933 $7,526
1934 $47,834
1935 $66,161
1936 $70,576 |
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In 1936, PENN introduced its most famous reel, the "Senator."
It was a revolutionary new reel capable of challenging the biggest,
most powerful game fish. The PENN Senator quickly became a popular
reel used for world record catches. While legendary fishermen like
Zane Grey, Ernest Hemingway and Michael Lerner were traveling the
world setting records, the "Senator" gave every fisherman
and woman a chance to set a record with its very affordable $25 price. |
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In 1938, Otto Henze introduced the PENN Squidder, a surf reel known
for its superior casting capabilities. The company became the leading
manufacturer of quality saltwater fishing reels. Pictures of record
size fish were sent to PENN from all over the world. PENN Reels became
the mainstay of charter boat captains and serious anglers for their
performance and reliability. |
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1930's World Records |
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1930
Zane Grey,
World Record Marlin
1,040-Pounds |
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1936
WOMEN'S WORLD RECORD
TUNA CAUGHT WITH A
PENN SENATOR REE.L |
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1938,
F.A. Kenney,
WORLD RECORD TUNA
864-POUNDS.
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Ernest Hemingway
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