Complete Story
06/22/2026
Bowser-Morner Celebrates 115 Years of Science, Engineering, and Commitment to Integrity
The exact anniversary date of Bowser-Morner, Inc. has been lost to history, so the company has chosen to celebrate its 115th anniversary on a day all Americans recognize and cherish—Independence Day.
The business that is now Bowser-Morner, Inc. was founded in Dayton in 1911 by chemist Charles A. Kurz, Sr. (below) as Kurz Chemical Laboratories.
Charles A. Kurz, Sr.
The company originally specialized in analyzing materials that fueled American industry: iron, steel, coal, cement, and oil. Mr. Kurz also used his chemistry skills to producer consumer-grade items of the day, such as face powder, metal polish, waterless soaps and perfumes. Ever the entrepreneur, Mr. Kurz and sons also formed several other businesses with other partners between 1913 and 1916, venturing into the manufacturing of early plastics and composites used for cookware, buttons for military uniforms as well as industrial gases.
To read the full article and view pictures of the history of Bowser-Morner, please click on the link below.
Bowser-Morner Old Lab - Ludlow St., Dayton, OH
