Teco pottery

The production consisted of drain tile, brick, chimney tops, finials, urns, and other economically fireproof building materials.

While most of the 500 shapes created by 1911 were the product of Gates' efforts, many of the remaining Teco designs were the work of several Chicago architects that were involved in the Prairie School style as expressed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

They had rejected the revival styles of American architecture of the 19th century in favor of using wood, stone and clay in simplicity of design.

His son Major Gates, a ceramic engineer, invented a pressing machine and tunnel kiln, and also a glaze spraying apparatus called a pulischrometer.

In 1972, TC inc. was formed from a merger of three businesses as production facility of ground engaging tools for construction equipment on the site.