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On this episode of Our American Stories, Tony Maglica was born in New York but spent much of his childhood in Croatia, where World War II brought foreign occupation, hunger, and the constant threat of violence. When he returned to the United States in 1950, he arrived with little money, a limited command of English, and no clear path forward. He took whatever work he could find, eventually discovering a gift for machining that carried him from New York to Colorado and finally California. There, with just $125 in savings and a determination to work for himself, he opened a small machine shop that would grow into Mag Instrument, the company behind the world-famous Maglite flashlight.

Tony Maglica shares his extraordinary journey from war-torn Europe to the heights of American manufacturing, explaining how he built one of America's most recognizable brands and why he has remained so determined to keep his flashlights made in the USA.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Tony Maglica was born in New York but spent much of his childhood in Croatia, where World War II brought foreign occupation, hunger, and the constant threat of violence. When he returned to the United States in 1950, he arrived with little money, a limited command of English, and no clear path forward. He took whatever work he could find, eventually discovering a gift for machining that carried him from New York to Colorado and finally California. There, with just $125 in savings and a determination to work for himself, he opened a small machine shop that would grow into Mag Instrument, the company behind the world-famous Maglite flashlight. Tony Maglica shares his extraordinary journey from war-torn Europe to the heights of American manufacturing, explaining how he built one of America's most recognizable brands and why he has remained so determined to keep his flashlights made in the USA.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate</a><a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

From 55 Cents an Hour to Maglite: The Immigrant Behind the “Cadillac of Flashlights”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a27b397a-ed04-4719-bd0f-b4f20149a328/transcript