Okonite
The Okonite Company is an American manufacturer of insulated wire and cable.
History
The company was founded in 1878 by John Haven Cheever, as the New York Insulated Wire and Vulcanite Company and took its present name in 1885. Its original premises were in Passaic, New Jersey. Some of its earliest customers included Samuel Morse and Thomas Edison. Charles A. Cheever was its President for some time.Its products have been used in Pearl Street Station, the lighting of the Statue of Liberty, and more recently in One World Trade Center.
"Okonite" was originally a material made from the residue produced when distilling the mineral wax ozokerite, mixed with rubber, and used as an electrical insulator.
In 1965 the company was acquired by James Ling.
In June, 1976, Okonite became owned by its employees through an Employees' Stock Ownership Trust.