Snorkel Founder Art Moore Introduces his Memoirs at the Rental Show

Art Moore, founder of Snorkel, debuted his memoirs at The Rental Show. His autobiography, titled “My Story” details his journey as one of the most respected pioneers of the aerial lift industry.

Moore founded the Snorkel Company in 1959, introducing a revolutionary firefighting and rescue machine. In 1977, he led the development of the Snorkelift aerial work platform. During the 1980s, Snorkel became a leader in the AWP market. Although Moore retired in 1991, he remains on the board of directors at Snorkel. Don Ahern acquired the majority shares of Snorkel in Oct. 2013.

Moore began writing his memoirs in 2003, beginning with what was intended to be a letter to a company that was producing a die-cast model of the Snorkel fire truck. Its brochure had many inaccuracies, Moore said, and he wanted to set the story straight. Over a period of 11 years, Moore’s letter grew into a book, providing insight into the founding and workings of a major manufacturing company and the early days of the aerial industry.

Moore began his entrepreneurial career in 1949, when he and childhood friend Ray Pitman partnered at the Pitman Manufacturing Co. They developed the Hydra-Lift and eventually an industrial truck-mounted aerial platform that became Chicago’s leading fire truck. In 1959, Moore resigned from Pitman to start his own company, Snorkel Fire Equipment Co.

Snorkel launched its first Snorkelift aerial work platform in 1977. Moore sold Snorkel during the 1980s.

After retiring, Moore and his wife Sue began to divide his time between their home in Pompano Beach, Fla., in the winter and Osage Beach, Mo., on the Lake of the Ozarks in summer.

“I am honored and excited to be able to write this memoir and relive many wonderful memories from my time at Snorkel,” said Moore. “I am particularly grateful to Don Ahern for his support in making My Story a reality.”

My Story can be ordered at www.artmoorememoirs.com.