american depression era antique medical cold-rolled steel hospital room supply shelving unit or side table fabricated by the frank s. betz company, hammond, ind. the refinished angled leg table retains the original solid white vitrolite glass shelves free from damage. the folded and pressed steel frame is welded in each corner for added support and stability. the brushed steel finish has been treated with a clear coat lacquer. salvaged from the old cook county hospital located in chicago, il. manufactured by the frank s. betz co., hammond, in. the betz company issued its first catalog in 1895 it consisted of 16 illustrated pages featuring surgical instruments and apparatuses. it was a huge success and from this date his company became a major player in the medical equipment and supply industry. from 1900 to 1904 the betz company's offices were located at 41 randolph street in chicago. the catalog for 1903 listed some 5000 items available for sale. a catalog showroom was located at 88-90 wabash avenue and the factory was at 1760 e. ravenswood park. in 1904 the betz company acquired 12 acres of land on hoffman street just north of the grand calumet river in hammond, indiana. a new brick factory building and rail spur was built. the work was completed within a year and the company began operating in hammond in 1905. after humble beginnings in 1895 the company grew in physical size from just 120 sq. ft. that year to 15,000 sq. ft in 1901, to 84,600 sq. ft. in 1906 to over 160,000 sq. ft. in 1911. the company had managed to survive the great depression of 1929 and was eventually sold to and absorbed by the a. s. aloe company of st. louis, missouri in 1937. measures approximately 21 x 16 x 31 1/2 inches.