Nolvex File Company

Edward A. Noll, Cleveland, Vol. 1, 1918

Nolvex File Company, 10329 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, made auto body files and their wooden handles, plus a small selection of other files and rasps. Nolvex used Blue Streak as a brand name, and Aetna File Resharpening Service was a subsidiary.

Nolvex was incorporated in 1923 and run by 3 generations of the Noll family as late as 1966. It was founded by machinist and businessman Edward August Noll (1867-1939), who had organized National Tool Co. in 1905, producing milling cutters and related special tools. Noll's son Edward Leonard Noll (1902-1973) was Nolvex president and treasurer in 1934, his wife Clara A. Volk Noll (1901-1968) served as treasurer, and Frank Seedlock was vice president. By 1954 Edward L. and Clara's son Edward A. Noll was vice president.

US Patent 2087484 was issued 20 July 1937 to Frank Seedlock and assigned to Nolvex File Co. The patent drawing shows a large-toothed flat file similar to the Vixen. These worked very well for the lead used as auto body filler.

Nolvex employees, customers, and product displays are shown in this photograph in the Western Reserve Historical Society collection. The date given is 1920s, which I believe is 20 years too early. Edward Leonard Noll is the man at the far left.

The YouTube video Body Leadwork: The Lost Art with Steve Frisbie shows the variety of files and holders used in lead body work.

US Patent 2087484

Nolvex File Co. box

Nolvex Blue Streak rasp

Nolvex file and #127 file handle 

Following is an edited quote from The Book of Clevelanders, published 1914:

NOLL, Edward A; president National Tool Co.; born, Cumberland, Md., May 19, 1867; son of Henry P. and Elizabeth Sheermesser Noll; educated, Cleveland public school; married, Cleveland, March, 1902 , Lulu M. Miller; issue, one son, Edward Leonard Noll; at the age of 14, went to work as office boy for the Y. M. C. A; in 1883, went with The Warner & Swasey Co., as apprentice, graduating as machinist and toolmaker; in 1887, employed by The National Tube Co., at McKeesport, Pa.; in 1889, with Cleveland Rubber Co.; in 1891, with The Cleveland Automatic Machine Co.; in 1892, with The Standard Tool Co., as foreman, until Aug. 5, 1905, when he organized The National Tool Co.; (president); director The Cleveland Pythian Castle Company; Trustee National Lodge, No. 626, Knights of Pythias; member Chamber of Industry, and Automobile Club.