1949 - Harmon Glass is born when two glass workers and a car salesman lease part of an old tire store on Harmon Place in downtown Minneapolis.

1950 - A young attorney named Russ Baumgardner invests $10,000 in the business. Two years later he gives up his law firm career and becomes full-time president of Harmon.

1955 - A new venture called Hiawatha Glass (later named Harmon, Inc.) is started to provide contract glass installation (glazing) for new buildings and replacement glazing in existing buildings with broken glass.

1959 - Harmon Glass has 60 employees and reaches $1 million annual sales.