Norden bombsight
Barden was founded by Theodore Barth and Carl Norden (hence the name "Bar-den") in 1942 to make precision ball bearings for the Norden bombsight. The Norden bombsight required 61 precision miniature and instrument type bearings. Prior to the US entry into World War II, bombsight production levels were planned to be 800 per month; however after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, production was ramped up and reached roughly 2000 units per month by the close of 1943. The precision level of the bearings required for the bombsight to operate was not available in the domestic bearing industry, driving the creation of Barden. Even during the Cold War, Barden bearings would continue to be used on key weapon systems and platforms.