For three or more generations, these families have maintained their passion for the O&P profession through changes in technology, business climate, and family relationships. The O&P EDGE is pleased to present you with this exclusive sneak peek of our upcoming article, “O&P’s Family Tree,” which celebrates O&P’s roots and its deep family ties:
The first O&P family business got its start in 1933 in West Virginia. It began with a single location and two employees. Today, the company employs 174 people and has grown to include five patient care offices.
Another branch on the O&P family tree supports a family business that survives into the third generation as a result of a dream that the current owner had. As a result of the dream, this O&P business owner was inspired to continue in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him. Today, the family has about 30 employees scattered between five O&P locations in northeastern Tennessee and southwest Virginia.
With deep roots, another of the businesses dates back over four generations when the company’s founding father pioneered an orthopedic business more than 105 years ago in San Francisco, California. Originally trained as a saddle maker in Germany, the founding father realized that with the invention of the automobile, big changes were coming. As remembered by his grandson, “He switched from humans to horses because they weren’t much different.”
Our fourth O&P family traces its roots to World War II. After losing a leg while fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, this individual helped to fabricate his own prosthesis. Then, after being discharged from the Army, he bought a prosthetic company in downtown Cleveland, Ohio.
In contrast, another long-term O&P family traces its roots to a founding father who recognized a business opportunity when he saw one. This O&P business, which began in 1911, has seen the evolution of the O&P industry from the times of the traveling salesman, to mail order, to the Internet.
Founded in 1888, our final O&P family business arose from necessity as the founder sought to solve his own dilemma of an uncomfortable prosthesis after an amputation related to a farm accident.
To find out who these families are, look for our article, “O&P’s Family Tree,” coming soon to The O&P EDGE.
