In 1926, Herbert Wolfgang Ernst Emil Link moved from his homeland of Besigheim, Germany to escape the inflation that was ravaging the European economy, and travelled to the United States with visions of earning enough money to return to Germany after two years. He settled in St. Louis, where he found a job as a tool & die maker, while also playing professional soccer for the White Banner Malt Club.
In 1927, while competing in a soccer match, Herbert broke his leg. This event was the impetus for Herbert to re-evaluate his career; a process which resulted in a move to Detroit to take part in the thriving automotive industry. He spent the next several years working at a series of jobs, including a position at Cadillac Motor Company, and refining his skills in the art of machine building.
In January of 1932, Herbert married Martha Dieter, his next door neighbor from Germany, who had also moved to the U.S. Martha would provide Herbert the support that he would rely on for his future successes. After the great depression, Herbert began making tap wrenches and spent his weekends selling them door-to-door. In 1935, he officially established “Link Engineering Company” in the basement of his house. Tap wrenches and edge finders made up the company’s initial product line. In 1936, Herbert acquired a patent for a spring testing device. He then began producing the testing devices and identified a market of willing buyers. Business continued to grow and Herbert relocated to a storefront near the Fisher Building, in Detroit.
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