Dave Lennox
David Lennox (April 15, 1855 – February 15, 1947) was an American inventor and businessman. A furnace manufacturing business he founded in 1895 in Marshalltown, Iowa evolved into what is today known as Lennox International, a global corporation specializing in air conditioning, heating, and commercial refrigeration. Lennox helped to develop what has been described as the first riveted-steel furnace in 1895. His contributions to furnace design have been described as significant steps forward in durability and efficiency from the cast iron furnaces commonly in use near the end of the 19th century.
Early life
Born in Detroit, Michigan on April 15, 1855, Lennox was the son of a railroad mechanic. His family moved to Aurora, Illinois shortly before the American Civil War, where Lennox’ father enlisted in the Union Army. His father was killed in 1863 at the battle of Champion Hill, east of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The surviving Lennox family moved to Chicago in 1865, where Lennox’ mother ran a grocery store while he worked in various machine shops.
