Etching success: One engraver's journey to achieving the American dream

NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) — You may not know his name, but you’ve likely seen his work on the dashboard of luxury cars and in the fine details of everyday products.

Christos Kambouris is a master engraver who immigrated from Athens, Greece to America’s Dairyland.

Starting with humble beginnings, his craft opened the door to the American dream.

"I came to Wisconsin because my wife’s father was here back in 1905," said Kambouris.

In 1968, he didn’t speak English, but he was fluent in hard work and ambition.

When he had to find a job, his sister-in-law introduced him to the owner of Wisconsin Engraving. He offered to work for free for a month to get his foot in the door.

"I said to my sister in-law, tell him I'm going to give him a month free, and then after, we sit down and talk, ok, start Monday," said Kambouris.

At a young age, Kambouris knew he was an artist, but he didn’t get any formal training until he joined the Greek Air Force as a designer.

"Even before you get the degree from the Air Force as a designer, you have to go to classes first," said Kambouris.

His service would soon set him up for his future career in America.

"Besides the pictures, you have to take parts and design them so they can make them to repair the plane," said Kambouris.

Wisconsin Engraving was established more than a century ago, making it one of the oldest and largest engravers in the U.S.

"It’s a trade that the ordinary people have no idea what it is," said Kambouris.

Inside this factory in New Berlin, a team of skilled artists add texture and engraved designs to create molds used by companies that shape plastic and metal products.

"With a special tool, I carve it evenly and then go on the machine with a point, and you follow these lines, and you cut opposite the metal," Kambouris explained.

Everything in our lives is touched by industrial engravers, from rifle cases to car emblems and even the iconic Gerber baby.

"What we are doing is not - I give you something and you're going to put it on your wall. That part is going to be produced that they're going to spread millions of them around," said Kambouris.

Kambouris bought into Wisconsin Engraving in 1987. He retired in 2021, passing the business to his son, Pete.

He says while not everyone knows his name, he is proud of the work he’s produced.

"You feel proud when you see your product, what you did. No matter where I travel, I see my work," said Kambouris.