The history of the ledger is not only important because it meets a need for window cleaners, but how it came about. We are passionate about the window cleaning industry, and it was passion in the industry that helped create the squeegee ledger handle.
Jerry Ridgon, creator of the ledger, was a window cleaner himself who saw a need for a product to help with closing out a deep-set window or obstruction. This would help reduce the need for a ladder and give a better angle on the glass he wished for as a window cleaner. Him and his family went into business to fill a need in the window cleaning market.
He played around with a few versions of what a ledger would look like, from the angles and length of the handle. The basis of the innovation of the ledger lies in the extension of the “neck” of the traditional squeegee handle. From there we have seen extended neck, double bends and swivel ledgers. This “wonder Ledger” product has taken off in the window cleaning industry and grown into a wide variety and selection of ledgers for certain needs.
They come in a number of different sizes and styles to perfectly handle the problem windows present. The original squeegee ledger handle has two long screws that make it work with any size of squeegee channel (thin or thick channel). It only works with channels with clips, though. We also offer ledgers with a quick release. The quick release ledgers are separated into thin channel or thick channel, because they require a different length of screws.
The squeegee ledger is quickly becoming an industry standard. This is the best tool available for cleaning deep-set windows. Using the ledger in place of a regular squeegee handle allows you to finish or ”close” a window that has a ledge, all the way to the bottom. This tool can help eliminate trips up and down the ladder!
Detroit Sponge was honored to be gifted a few of the original ledgers created by Jerry, see some photos below. We love the ledger tool and the story behind the product. Ledgers are created and made by window cleaners for window cleaners. This is only one of many stories of window cleaners who work to create a product to make the lives of window cleaners easier. We hope the story of Jerry encourages you to pursue tool design ideas and share the, with the window cleaning community!
