Newcomb Loom Company Records

According to the "Journal of the Newcomb Looms Historical Society" and other resources, the Newcomb Loom Company was established in Davenport by Charles Newcomb in 1889. The looms themselves were manufactured in Tipton, Iowa (a small town about 40 miles northwest of Davenport); Davenport itself served as a distribution point. His original three models were the Little Daisy, the Number 3, and the Weaver's Friend. In 1899, he began production of the Weaver's Delight, which quickly became the company's most popular loom.

In 1900, Charles Newcomb resigned from the company to "enjoy the fruits of his labor" (he had patent rights on all four looms and was quite well-off by this time). William Stark appears to have purchased the company and acted as manager, while Charles Pasche became president of the corporation. In 1919, the company was bought by Frank Knierem.

The company published a newsletter, "The Weaver's Monthly," full of weaving tips, stories from weavers, and plenty of advertisements for weaving supplies and (of course) Newcomb Loom equipment: cutting boards, wide rug looms, and something called a Power Frayer. Newcomb offered many services to their customers, including a "second owner registry" for those who bought used looms; free assembly and instruction booklets were offered to registrants. The company would even send out a representative to help with loom assembly or provide advice on setting up a weaving business. These and other considerations led the company to peak profits in 1955.

Unfortunately, with the exception of a handcraft revival in the 1960s, the demand for large looms faded. In the early 1980s, high costs, low profits, and Frank Knierem's poor health led the family to close the company. Each customer received a note in thanks for their business. The loom pattern molds were sold off in 1983.