original american antique industrial refinished compartmentalized heavy duty pressed and formed steel tool chest or box designed and fabricated by or for the montgomery ward co., chicago, il. montgomery ward was founded by aaron montgomery ward in 1872. mr. ward had conceived of the idea of a dry goods mail-order business in chicago, illinois, after several years of working as a traveling salesman among rural customers. he observed that rural customers often wanted "city" goods but their only access to them was through rural retailers who had little competition and offered no guarantee of quality. mr. ward also believed that by eliminating intermediaries, he could cut costs and make a wide variety of goods available to rural customers, who could purchase goods by mail and pick them up at the nearest train station. the folding tool box contains a brushed and/or bare metal exterior sealed with a clear coat lacquer. the cabinet's interior retains the original thoroughly cleaned and sealed baked navy blue enameled finish. the tool box has two original opposed bent steel rod drop handles mounted flush against the sides of the chest. the removable tray features half-circle tabs for easier handling. the drop-down door remains in great condition. the tool cabinet was salvaged from an old automobile repair shop in the chicago area. measures approximately 23 x 11 x 9 1/2 inches.