Identical twins Keith and Dale Edwards shared an interest in trains. As a child, if Keith could not be found, he was usually down at the train yard.
In the 1940s after graduating from high school, the twins started developing model-train parts in a business called Kadee, using the first initial of each of their first names. They served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and after their discharge went to work for Boeing.
All the while they worked on their own model-train business and eventually created the first
model-railroad, car-knuckle coupler that looked and worked like real ones. The Kadee Magne-Matic Coupling System was a huge success and their business in White City, Ore., was off and running.
The brothers continued to develop more model-train parts and began making entire model freight cars. At this time Kadee started its Micro-Trains division. By 1990, the twins decided to split the company. Dale stayed at Kadee, working with the couplers. Keith moved Micro-Trains to a new building in Talent, Ore.
Both brothers have since died, but their love of trains continues in the extraordinary businesses they created.
Sources: "About Micro-Trains." Micro-Trains Line Company. Web. 21 Mar. 2015. http://www.micro-trains.com/about.php; Tony, J. “A pioneer in model railroading passes away.” Trainorders.com., 23 Sept. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2015.
