Born May 9, 1882

Sprout Brook, New York

Died August 24, 1967

Honolulu, Hawaii

Industrialist

Henry Kaiser's imprint on American industry was remarkable. He has been called the "father of modern shipbuilding" and was considered the most powerful businessman in the U.S. West during World War II (1939–45). The concrete he manufactured went to build Pacific military bases, his aluminum into new advanced warplanes, his steel into warships, and the thousands of cargo ships he built carried troops and supplies across the oceans to the European and Pacific war fronts. The electricity generated by the dams he built fueled the West Coast war industries. Kaiser became a favorite of the news media and was considered by many to be the most influential civilian to help America win the war.

A born worker

Henry John Kaiser was born on May 9, 1882, in Sprout Brook,...