Most people would not remember Charles Irwin's Drug Store but many people know of Irwin Tools and probably have a few in their basement or garage. In addition to drill bits and augers, Irwin makes clamps and bought the company that invented Vise-Grips.
"Irwin was founded in 1885 in Martinsville, Ohio as the Irwin Auger Bit Company by Charles Irwin, a pharmacist. Irwin had bought the rights to a solid-center auger bit from a local blacksmith.
In 1993, American acquired The Irwin Tool Company, and in 2002, Newell Rubbermaid acquired American. In 2003, American officially changed its name to Irwin Industrial Tool Company.
In 2010, Irwin closed the customer service office in Wilmington, OH and moved the customer service department to Huntersville, NC."
