The Stronghart Company was founded in 1914 in Chicago, IL, by Isidore Julius Kusel. It manufactured pocket savings banks, home safes, and advertising novelties, and became well known for its bullet and doughboy hat banks. These banks were promoted during World War I to encourage savings for the purchase of U.S. Liberty bonds. In 1929, the Stronghart Company was acquired by the Bankers Thrift Corporation, and Mr. Kusel remained associated with the company after the acquisition. In 1931, Jerome Aronson and Joseph Eisendrath purchased the business and equipment of the Bankers Thrift Corporation, forming a new company with the abbreviated name Ban-thri-co, Banthrico.