Karsten Solheim

[3] Born in Bergen, Norway, to Herman A. and Ragna Koppen Solheim,[1] the family emigrated to the United States in 1913, and settled in Seattle, Washington, in its Ballard neighborhood.

Herman was a shoemaker, and Karsten graduated from Ballard High School in 1931 and enrolled two years later at the University of Washington, with aims at becoming a mechanical engineer.

[1][5] Upon the outbreak of World War II, he resumed his engineering studies via University of California extension courses and joined the defense industry, working at Ryan Aeronautical in San Diego.

Solheim took to manufacturing golf clubs in his garage and after a move to Phoenix he touted them to skeptical professionals at tournaments.

Acceptance came when Julius Boros won the PGA Tour's Phoenix Open, using Solheim's "Anser" putter in early 1967.

[9] Solheim's contribution of perimeter weighting and usage of investment casting are recognized as two of the key innovations in the history of golf.