Home Learning Center Articles Milwaukee Tools It all started in
1918. World War I was coming to a close, and automotive tycoon
Henry Ford was looking for a fabricator who was willing to
produce a compact, lighter-weight, portable version of the 1/4"
capacity power drill. A young Wisconsin manufacturer by the name
of A.H. Petersen accepted Ford's commission, and developed what
came to be known as the Hole-Shooter. Weighing in at only 5
pounds, this revolutionary power tool was driven by a series-
type Westinghouse motor, and was the first industrial drill that
was light enough to be operated with just one hand, but powerful
enough to handle heavy-duty workloads. Four years later, in
1922, Petersen was joined by business partner Albert F. Siebert,
and together, the two of them founded the A.H. Petersen Company.
Tragically, a fire destroyed their manufacturing facility the
following year, and the financial setback forced the company to
close their doors. In 1924, Siebert was able to purchase the
company's remaini