Chapter 3: Persevere
![Construction of Original Homestead](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/construction-of-the-original-homstead/Family%20Photograph%20Pages_Set%204_44_House%20Feb%208%201948_01%20Front.jpg)
Expanding the Homestead, 1948
The final construction phase of the homestead began in 1948. It consisted of a living room, kitchen, bedrooms, and an additional bathroom, providing more room for the growing family.
![Construction of Original Homestead](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/construction-of-the-original-homstead/Family%20Photograph%20Pages_Set%205_02_House%20Buil_Ruth%20on%20roof_Feb%208%201948_01%20Front.jpg)
![Construction of Original Homestead](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/construction-of-the-original-homstead/Family%20Photograph%20Pages_Set%205_35_Housebuild_Ruth%20on%20Roof.jpg)
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![Grover with Tufty](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/Grover%20with%20Tufty.jpg)
William G. "Grove" Barnard III with Tufty, c. 1948
Grove trained Tufty, a sparrow discovered during the construction of the homestead, and the bird became a beloved family pet.
![sepia photo](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/P1_Front.jpg)
Barnard Family Portrait, 1952
Ruth and Bill Barnard with their six children.
![papa and mary](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/025_1960-1964_2016_004_C_M-2_Pg.%2016%20-%20Papa%20and%20Mary%20Barnard.png)
Papa and Mary Barnard outside their trailer home, 1963
Papa and Mary Barnard featured in Trailer Topics Magazine August, 1963.
![first infomercial](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/first-infommercial/Infomercial_Papa%201.jpg)
The First Infomercial, 1949
In 1949, Bill Barnard convinced his father to air a first-of-its-kind, half-hour infomercial on Cleveland's WEWS, the first television station in Ohio. Following its success, they worked with Cinecraft Productions to create recordings for distribution throughout the US.
![the infomercial](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/first-infommercial/Infomercial_Papa%202.jpg)
Miles McKearney of Foster & Davis Advertising Agency, Ray Culley of Cinecraft Productions, Bill Barnard, and Papa Barnard, 1949.
![Royal Quail Cuckoo Clock](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/PXL_20211104_140612569~2.jpg)
Royal Quail Cuckoo Clock
A hand-carved cuckoo clock sourced from the Black Forest in Germany.
![family in truck](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/truckintown.jpg)
Summers Selling
Once the school year ended, the Barnard family traveled across the country in a "stake truck" to demonstrate the Vitamix at shows and fairs.
![Flurry Machine photo](/content/dam/vitamix/home/the-novel/chapter-3/B542F34_46_Vita-Mix%20Flurry_01%20Front.jpg)
Flurry (Mix'n Machine), 1986
Developed by Frank and John Barnard, this was the first commercial machine designed and manufactured by Vitamix.