Claude Poulan

Claude Casper Poulan (1915-1995) of Monroe, Louisiana was the founder of Poulan Chain Saws and the inventor of bow guide.

In 1944, Poulan was supervising German prisoners cutting pulpwood in East Texas. At the time this task required three men, two to operate the chainsaw, and a third to operate a pry pole, utilized to keep the chain from binding as it cut through the trees. Poulan utilized an old truck fender and fashioned it into a curved piece utilized to guide the chain. The "bow guide" now allowed the chainsaw to be utilized by a single operator and quickly revolutionized the booming, post-war wood cutting industry.

In 1946 Poulan Chain Saws was established in Shreveport, Louisiana where it produced chainsaws utilizing existing engines purchased from other manufacturers. In 1951, Poulan began production of its own internally developed and manufactured chainsaws.

The company is now owned by the Electrolux Company and is currently the largest manufacturer of chainsaws in the world.

Sources

• http://www.electroluxart.com/history_archives/pdf/60th-Poulan-Pro-Brochure.pdf
• Charles T. Beaird
• Poulan
• http://www.answers.com/topic/poulan-weedeater
• http://www.electroluxart.com/history_archives.html
• http://www.husqvarnaoutdoorproducts.com.au/poulan.html

Persondata
Name	Poulan, Claude
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1915
Place of birth
Date of death	1995
Place of death