In the Age of Steel: Oral Histories from Bethlehem Pennsylvania -- Henri A. Bodder

Annotation Henri A. Bodder (September 16, 1896-January 7, 1977) was married to Ruth A. Bodder. During World War I he worked for Bethlehem Steel at the Redington fuse plant and later worked as a steel inspector in Bethlehem. In 1921 he started a retailing career and worked for prominent local department stores such as Bush & Bull's and Orr's. He served the community as president of the West Side Republican Club, president of the Advertising Club and as a commissioner on the Bethlehem Housing Authority from 1945-1971. In this interview Bodder discusses the West Bethlehem neighborhood and leisure and social activities he participated in as a youth. He also discusses the local retailing business in great detail and provides insight into the operations of the Bethlehem Housing Authority during his tenure. Also provided in this interview are a number of Bodder's observations about former Bethlehem mayor Robert Pfeifle. This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted by Lehigh University students and faculty from 1974 through 1977 focusing on retired Bethlehem Steel workers, business people, and the heirs of industrial magnates. The project was co-sponsored by Bethlehem Steel Corporation, who provided contact information for retired steel workers. An oral history interview is an act of memory and hence both highly selective and highly subjective. While it accurately reflects what a narrator remembers (or chooses to tell) of his or her experience and viewpoints, it may not accurately represent what actually transpired or what another person may have experienced. As such users should subject interviews to the same degree of critical scrutiny they would any other historical source.