William Edwin (Eddie) Lanham was well known and devoted to the baking industry throughout his life.  He and his two brothers were the third generation of their family in this industry.  He worked for Southern Bakeries in Tampa, Miami, and Atlanta before starting Lanham Machinery and Service in 1947.  Eddiw and new partner Gene Miller restructured in 1952 as Lanham Machinery Company.  Eddie was president and CEO at Lahnam until his retirement in 1989.

Eddie started and grew Lanham Machinery into a world known company in the baking industry.  He was a member of ASBE 1954-1989 and was very active in BEMA, helping with equipment standards and serving as President from 1976-1978.  He served on the EXPO committee from 1978-1989.  In 2002 Eddie was presented with BEMA’s first posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.  He also worked with ABA through BEMA.

Eddie’s love for humanity is evident in that he set up a special division within Lanham Machinery which employed mentally and physically challenged personnel. He was also instrumental in starting Christian City, a children’s home and retirement communicty, in 1964 and continued on the board until his dealth in 1991.

Eddie contributed many technological advancements and ideas to the industry.  He introduced the first continuos cooler in 1949 and the Lanham Proof and Bake conveyorized proofer and oven in 1967.  Eddie is named in 26+ patents on baking equipment.  Throughout his life, he continually sought information and knowledge that he used to better the baking industry.

Click on the images below to view .pdf files of the inductee’s biography and plaque.