- Universal engineers and IBM (Kingston) specialists devised a method of preparing axial lead components for IBM’s printed circuit board assembly. The “taping machine” was born and opened the door for Universal’s electronic component equipment era.
- Company produces thousands of frames for modular plug in units used in the production of TVs.
- President J. Donald Ahearn begins restructuring the company to capitalize on the burgeoning electronics industry.
- Universal begins building component prepping equipment for component manufacturers across the country.
- F.H. Lawson hired from Link Aviation; becomes Vice President and Board member.
- Company purchases 36,000 square foot building and 10 acres at Bevier Street.
- Annual revenues hit $1,500,000; 170 on payroll.
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The roots of today’s precision metal fabrications at Universal can be traced to the 1930s and 1940s when the company grew into a sophisticated tool and die machine shop. Shown here is the center-and-square mechanism for the modern day surface-mount component assembly system.
Universal purchases second SIP 6A Jig Borer. Machine is used to produce complex perforating dies the manufacture of S&H Green Stamps. S & H stamps were a line of trading stamps that were distributed as part of a rewards program operated by the Sperry & Hutchinson Company (S&H) which could be redeemed for products in their catalog.
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Floyd H. “Rudy” Lawson hired from Link Aviation Devices executive staff; becomes Vice President and Board member.
Stamped frame assembly housed pluggable unit which formed the matrix of early vacuum-tube style computer systems. Assortment shown here was typical of Stamping Division output in the 1950s.
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The company progressed into fabrication of special machines built to customer design. Here, final assembly (foreground) and sub-assembly (background) combine to produce a complex test fixture.
Stamping operations were moved from Frederick St. to this Bevier St facility in 1958.
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A couple additional points in history:
- Limited broadcast of television signals begins to homes with black and white sets.
- North Korea invades South Korea. With United Nations approval, the U.S. sends ground, air and naval forces to halt communist takeover.
- Jet aircraft replace piston-powered aircraft in struggle for air supremacy over battlefields.
- IBM and Link Aviation gear up for rapid changes in defense technologies.