The Fitz Water Wheel Company specialized in the manufacture of water wheels and small power plants, although it also manufactured grain dryers and blowers. John Fitz (1847-1914), who succeeded his father as head of the firm, developed the modern steel overshot water wheel. Fitz aimed its product at farmers, small millers, and small town hydroelectric and pumping stations. As a specialty producer, it sold its products throughout the United States and also developed a strong export market to developing countries. The spread of rural electrification cut into Fitz's market, but John Samuel Fitz, who had succeeded his father in 1914, kept the firm in business. After 1930 many wheels were produced for "show" rather than productive use. The firm made many model wheels and turbines for engineering schools like Cornell University which is included in these photographs. It also became an important supplier to historic restorations of working mills.