Bendix Corporation

Bendix Corporation, now Honeywell Aviation, began with Vincent Bendix from Moline, Illinois. He invented an automotive electric starting motor drive, called the “Bendix Drive” in 1914 and became a millionaire. The Bendix Drive and the four-wheel brake system he invented were the basis for the formation of a new company in 1924. The name became Bendix Aviation in 1929 when production included aviation products.

Buildings of brick, steel and concrete sprung up throughout the second half of the 1920s on the site in the western section of South Bend. Winkler-Grimm, delivery wagon manufacturers, previously occupied the large 3-story building. After purchasing the Winkler-Grimm building, which was built in 1902, Bendix converted the second floor into a private apartment for himself. The buildings from the 1920s and 1930s are in the Art déco style. The central administration building on Bendix Drive was ornamented with Art déco copper zigzag door spandrels, a wood hood covering the entire entrance, and geometric detailing.

The Bendix Aviation Corporation suffered financial losses during the Depression, and Vincent Bendix declared personal bankruptcy. However, the firm experienced tremendous growth because of wartime production in the 1940s. In 1960, Bendix Aviation changed its name to Bendix Corporation to include its other activities, such as automobiles, space, missiles, and energy controls.   The main office building of the Bendix Corporation was occupied by Bosch components until December 2012. Luckily, in 2013, the Bendix Main Office/factory was occupied by Curtis Products of South Bend.