[1] Ray Hegy worked in Milwaukee, building propellers for iceboats.
This experience qualified him to respond to an ad "for cabinetmakers to build wooden craft propellers" in 1925.
In 1957, Hegy started building the Chuparosa and was finished after nine years at a cost of $600.
The success of the Chuparosa changed Hegy "from a furniture maker and refinisher to a full-time carver of wooden propellers."
At that time, Hegy made his propellers in his backyard workshop.