Frood was born in Doncaster, a town in the West Riding of Yorkshire, where he grew up.
After the success of his invention, Frood started a new company called Ferodo (based on the letters of his name, with an additional "E" which was his wife’s initial (Elizabeth).
[2] His invention initially used solid woven cotton impregnated with natural resins for brake pads (friction linings).
In September 1918, Herbert Frood bought the well-known Cat and Fiddle Inn (the second-highest pub in England, next to the source of the River Mersey near Shining Tor).
He initially lived with his family on Manchester Road in Buxton, although later put their house up for sale a few months after the marriage.