In 1876, Judge Oliver and William Picher organized Picher Lead and Zinc Company. In 1916, Eagle White Lead Company of Cincinnati and Picher Lead Company of Joplin merged to form Eagle Picher Lead Company. By 1925, Eagle Picher was the largest employer in Joplin, employing 700 workers. The company engaged in local mining and manufacturing of lead products, including lead-based paint. By the 1960s, Eagle Picher was supplying the National Aeronautics and Space Administration with batteries for the space program. Eagle Picher batteries provided the necessary power for the first trip to the moon and the first lunar rover used on the moon.