The obverse bears nude in Atlas-like pose, carrying pblic and industrial buildings on his shoulders. Around, WALTER KIDDE - CONSTRUCTORS; in bottom half to left and right of figure, 1900 - 1950; signed at lower right, (WC monogram).
The reverse bears tools of the constrution trade. In field, IDENTIFIED WITH / DISTINGUISHED / ENGINEERING AND / CONSTRUCTION FOR / HALF A CENTURY
The edge is marked MEDALLIC ART CO. N.Y. BRONZE.
Walter Kidde was born in 1877 and graduated from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1897. At the age of 23 Walter Kidde started Walter Kidde & Company. Walter Kidde & Company helped build ship yards at Port Newark and Kearny. He later joined the New Jersey State Highway Commission. During his time there, he oversaw the first traffic circle in Camden, the first clover-leaf intersection and most importantly the Pulaski Skyway in 1932.
Though he started out in the construction business, the company took a different turn and grew into a fire suppression equipment manufacturer. Kidde & Company had perfected carbon dioxide-based fire extinguishers and became a big supplier for industrial buildings and the military.
Walter Kidde died in 1943, seven years before this medal was commissioned to celebrate the company he had created.
The medal measures 73mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Medallic Art Company of New York. No mintage is reported.
References: MACo 1948-001