Mill Products

Mill Products. Thread, Cord, and Rope. The Athens Manufacturing Co. made thread by twisting cotton fibers together. Cord, rope, and other products were manufactured at this mill using the same technology., To maintain shape and strength in an automobile tire, a web of belting is placed along the inside surface of the rubber. Today this tire belting is made of steel, but throughout the 1920s it was made of cotton threads woven into strong cording. The Check Factory produced this type of cord and shipped it to tire makers across the country. The factory also made thicker products called hawser rope and halyard rope for U.S. Navy ships during World War II. Hawser tied ships up to docks, and could be thicker than a man's arm. Halyard, a lightweight rope lashed cargo or raised flags., (captions) , In the 1920s fabric was used inside tires. Today, this layer is constructed of steel belting. Pictured at left is a 1920s U.S. Royal Cords tire advertisement showing a tire that used cotton cording., Hauser rope is used to tie ships to docks. Athens Check Factory also made a smaller cotton rope called halyard for cargo nets and ladders on U.S. Navy ships., Mill worker making cord and rope at Athens Check Factory.