Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is celebrating Raymond DeWalt Day to honor the hometown hero and the 100th anniversary of DEWALT, a leader in jobsite solutions and a Stanley Black & Decker brand. The celebration takes place on what would have been Raymond DeWalt’s 139th birthday. Known as the “original pro,” DeWalt’s innovative vision led to the founding of DEWALT. Mechanicsburg Mayor Jack Ritter, in collaboration with DEWALT, is proclaiming October 9 as “Raymond DeWalt Day” during a special ceremony attended by DeWalt’s descendants, the City Council, and DEWALT representatives. To commemorate the day, DEWALT is presenting Mayor Ritter with a centennial plaque.
“I knew the family,” said Mayor Ritter. “Raymond DeWalt taught me to use the DEWALT saw, and he shopped at Ritters Hardware, a family store my grandfather opened. Today, we proudly sell DEWALT tools.”
City Council President Miller added, “We’re excited to celebrate DEWALT’s anniversary and its deep connection to Mechanicsburg.”
About Raymond DeWalt: In the 1920s, Pennsylvania tradesman Raymond DeWalt revolutionized the industry by inventing the “Wonder-Worker,” a radial arm saw designed to improve efficiency without compromising quality or safety. This invention set the stage for DEWALT’s global distribution, with Sears, Roebuck & Co. citing the saw’s role in manufacturing “50 ready-cut houses” daily by 1927.
Later, DeWalt became a shop teacher at Mechanicsburg High School, passing on his expertise to future tradespeople. Though he passed away in 1961, his legacy continues through DEWALT’s innovation.
Today, we honor Raymond DeWalt’s principles of innovation, safety, and productivity, said Bill Harman, VP of Product Management at Stanley Black & Decker. A century later, we remain committed to those values.
In honor of Raymond DeWalt’s legacy, DEWALT donated tools to the Cumberland-Perry Vocational Technical School and the machine shop class at Mechanicsburg High School, where DeWalt once taught.
This celebration is part of a series marking DEWALT’s 100th anniversary, which also included electrifying the Sphere in Las Vegas and ringing the NYSE Opening Bell, honoring the tradespeople who build and sustain our communities. For more on DEWALT’s centennial, visit DEWALT History.
