Milestones
1890’s
Medical
Aspirin discovered
X rays discovered
1892
Marshall-Kloene
Several of his German physician friends in Toledo convinced a well-known German blacksmith to immigrate to the U.S. and forge braces for Civil War Veterans and deformed children. Alexander G. Kloene opened his shop in the basement of Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which later became Riverside Hospital.
1900’s
Medical
Electrocardiograph invented
1920’s
Medical
Researchers identify vitamins B1, B2 and D
Marshall-Kloene
Mr. Kloene’s son, Alexander E. Kloene and his wife Helen joined the company. Helen became the firm’s first secretary. A.E. Kloene became one of the countries first Certified Othotists. Like his father, A.E.’s hard work and skills gained notoriety among football teams around the country by fabricating mostly knee braces for teams such as: Ohio State, Michigan, Princeton and Army, as well as the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. The company relocates to a larger space on Galena Street in North Toledo. Upon the death of A.G. Kloene, in the early 1920’s, Alex E. Kloene became the company’s 2nd President.
1930’s
Medical Milestones
National Institute for Infantile Paralysis founded; begins the March of Dimes campaign for research and treatment of Polio
Marshall-Kloene
A.E. Kloene and his wife worked mostly alone, with Alex hand forging heavy steel braces gradually adding padded leather for the patient’s comfort. He continued to see many veterans of WW1 as patients and his reputation spread.
1940’s
Medical
Its antibacterial property initially noted in 1928, the first usable form of Penicillin demonstrates a remarkable ability to cure life-threatening conditions.
Marshall-Kloene
After serving as an Army medic and later fitting trusses for Rupp and Bowman Drug Company in Toledo, J.C. Marshall joined the business and the company eventually became Marshall-Kloene Orthopedics. This decade and the next became known as the “polio era” as leg and spine brace orders increased drastically. In addition, custom made knee bracing, to help repair and prevent injuries, continued to gain favor among college and professional sports teams.
1950’s
Medical
Salk and Sabin polio vaccines developed
Glucose detection strips for diabetes were developed.
Marshall-Kloene
Business continued to grow until Salk Vaccine was discovered to help curb the spread of Polio. Several technicians were trained by both Mr. Marshall and Mr. Kloene. When Mr. Kloene retired, Mr. Joseph Marshall became the company’s 3rd President.
1960’s
Medical
CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) scanner developed
Marshall-Kloene
Since Mr. Kloene retired, his wife Helen trained J.C. Marshall’s wife, Eleanor to take over her duties as secretary. Marshall-Kloene’s business growth demanded several more employees to be hired including J.C. Marshall’s two eldest sons, Donald and Gary. Donald went on to finish Medical School and Gary worked until his death in 1979.
1970’s
Medical
First whole body MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine constructed
Marshall-Kloene
Until this period, braces were made from iron, steel and aluminum. Padded leather covered most of the exposed metal. What began as revolutionary advances in material science and process technology brought strong, lightweight, cosmetically acceptable plastics to Marshall-Kloene’s clients. In need of more trained employees, J.C. Marshall hired Robert Seale and Anthony Moeschetti to the team. In the late 1970’s J.C. Marshall, wishing to retire, hired his youngest son, Mikal, who at that time was working as a Registered Nurse in an area hospital to take over as head of the firm. After graduating from NYU’s school of Orhotics and later becoming certified by the Board for Orthotist Certification, The Board for Pedorthic Certification and the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, he became the company’s 4th President.
1980’s/1990’s
Medical
Unprecedented growth and development in strong, lightweight plastic and metal technologies, rehabilitation medicine plus rigorous curriculum and American Medical Association accreditation requirements propel the Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics professions to rapidly evolve as a changing discipline.
Marshall-Kloene
Again, business expansion necessitated relocating from Airport Highway to its present Arrowhead Park location in Maumee. After a shift in personnel, Terrence Smith was hired and later he also was certified by the BOC and ABC as a Certified Orthotist along with Brian Kinsella, a former professional hockey player, who was retrained and became certified by both BOC and the ABC. After graduating from Northwestern’s School of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Michael J. Stevens also joined the firm. His expertise in Prosthetics expanded the company’s practice. He later went on to become certified in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics.
1990’s
Marshall-Kloene
Attending most of the trade organization’s educational programs, members of Marshall-Kloene became some of the most highly trained and educated Practitioners in the field. Choosing the “hands on” method of custom fabrication, most of the products are still hand made at our own facility. In combination with utilization of some of the most advanced “pre-fabricated” devices and the latest in state of the art technology, the practice continued to grow.
2000’s
Medical
Many Orthotists and Prosthetists certified by the Board for Orthotists/Prosthetists Certification merged with the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics to form a stronger organization for Continuing Education and form new and powerful PAC groups.
Marshall-Kloene
In 2006, due to health reasons, Mikal J. Marshall stepped down as Marshall-Kloene’s President and Michael J. Stevens took over as the company’s 5th President. He continues the traditions set by his predecessors to continue to work with the University of Toledo Medical Center in training programs for the Orthopedic residents and other ancillary employees. In addition, Marshall-Kloene employees work closely with are Orthopedic Surgeons, at their facilities, to give the patient optimal orthotic and prosthetic care.
2010’s
Medical
Smart Orthotic and Prosthetic Implant research
Marshall-Kloene
New logo and web site are developed. Computerized knee joints are becoming more widely used in the field of Prosthetics. Marshall-Kloene continues to branch out to area hospitals, providing them with on site services when required.
Marshall-Kloene is proud to be one of the oldest Orthotic and Prosthetic practices in the United States and looks forward to being a leader in it’s field for many years to come.