Otto J. Maha
1907 - 1999
— In Memory of —
This fountain is dedicated to Otto J. Maha and his contributions to fluid power technology.
Otto received his education through night classes at the Lewis Institute of Technology, now known as the Illinois Institute of Technology. In 1928, at the age of 21, Otto began his fifty year tenure at the Parker Hannefin Corporation. During the early years of the fluid power industry, Otto was instrumental in developing fluid power standards and held seats on a variety of fluid technology based committees. He also served on the 1967 delegation on Industrial Standards and Norms to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic[s]. A world-renowned fluid power engineer, Otto Maha's achievements are honored at the Fluid Power Hall of Fame at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Wisconsin. His legacy in the industry lives on through numerous monetary contributions to educational institutions that support the teaching of fluid power technology in their engineering departments. A lifelong resident of West Dundee, Otto was an avid walker and could be seen strolling through his neighborhood every day. His generous contribution helped make the West Dundee Riverwalk a community treasure for all to enjoy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce
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Location. 42° 5.918′ N, 88° 16.63′ W. Marker is in West Dundee, Illinois, in Kane County. Marker is on 1st Street north of Main Street (Illinois Route 72), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: At the rear of 98 West Main Street, Dundee IL 60118, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Pinkerton’s Early Home (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dundee Veterans Honor Roll (approx. ¼ mile away); West Dundee Riverwalk (approx. 0.4 miles away); Duff House (approx. half a mile away); W. [William] W. & Phebe Welch (approx. 0.6 miles away); Civil War Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); Billy and Ma Sunday (approx. 1.9 miles away); Illinois Watch Case Company (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Dundee.
Also see . . .
1. Maha Fluid Power Research Center at Purdue University. Research center website homepage (Submitted on May 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Fluid Pressure Cylinder (United States Patent 3043638) by Otto J. Maha. Free Patents Online website entry:
Information on one of Maha's patents
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 688 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 8, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
