"The Voice Of Motorola"

[drh4683]

This is an interesting bi-weekly newspaper that was published by Motorola and handed out to employees or "Motorolans". I found this at an Estate Sale last weekend as the person who lived in the home worked for Motorola. Its another example of the history of the electronics industry and what it was, especially in Chicago. Its sad to read all those Motorola plants that were in or around Chicago like Palatine, Franklin Park, Agusta, Claybourne, Cicero, Elgin etc. are all gone now. By reading this paper, it shows that everyone who worked for Motorola was part of a team, almost like a family as it show parts of peoples lives outside of just their work. There were all sorts of clubs to be part of and all types of events to go to. Either its me, or nothing is like this anymore. Teamwork is key. I can say that with my own experiences in engineering. It is very gratifying when people work on projects together and try to work tward a common goal.
This issue is dated May 1, 1966. The reason this issue was saved is because Sue Gallagher made the news on the front page, she was the lady who's estate sale I attended last weekend in Westchester.

[bgadow]

Very nice! Reads just like a small town paper-you can tell they were fairly close-knit, or at least tried to be. I have to wonder: are those Chinese factories anything like that today?

[AUdubon5425]

Originally Posted by bgadow

I have to wonder: are those Chinese factories anything like that today?

Oh, I'd suspect any publications there may be more propaganda than social.

[newhallone]

Looks like she won something. What's in the box?

[zenithfan1]

That was a neat read, thanks for sharing. Don't see that kind of stuff often. Very cool.
It's not you Doug, sadly, things aren't like this anymore.

[batterymaker]

I never knew they had a plant in Quincy, IL. I was born there in December '66.

[Carmine]

Originally Posted by drh4683

Its sad to read all those Motorola plants that were in or around Chicago like Palatine, Franklin Park, Agusta, Claybourne, Cicero, Elgin etc. are all gone now... Either its me, or nothing is like this anymore. Teamwork is key. I can say that with my own experiences in engineering. It is very gratifying when people work on projects together and try to work tward a common goal...

Doug, did you notice that 12,000 "Motorolans" were employed around the Chicago area? (I caught that while reading the article about the I-talian meatloaf served in the plant cafeterias)

Slowly but surely, turning an intentionally blind eye to "dumped" electronic imports and closed foreign markets killed thousands of good Chicago-area jobs... Just at Motorola.

However just for comparison's sake, I can show you that company papers DO survive in the modern era, in the last remaining vestiges of American manufacturing and engineering. (Perhaps with less coverage of what's being served in the cafeterias, or bowling league hi-scores.) Of course, these are suffering from the similar problems of closed global markets, and foreign government-subsidized industrial policy.

Because you mentioned mentioned "engineering teamwork" I tried to sharpen up the article on future dual-clutch transmission technology breakthroughs.







On an oddly related note, I'm temporarily assigned to a different Chrysler manufacturing plant. They recently had a contest to design a plant logo for use on jackets, etc. The prize is one of the jackets, plus a brand new gassed-up Ram truck for the weekend. If I win, expect to see me in Chicago with it!

[matt_s78mn]

Originally Posted by batterymaker

I never knew they had a plant in Quincy, IL. I was born there in December '66.

Yes, the old Motorola plant is on N 30th St. between the Moor-Mans Feeds plant and Harris Corporation (they build AM, FM, & TV transmitters and other broadcast equipment.) A majority of the old Motorola plant is a ShopKo distribution center, and there are a few other businesses located there as well. If I recall correctly there was a pretty fancy restaurant located there and perhaps a law office or two. I haven't been back to Quincy in around 10 years though, so things may have changed. Anyway, when I worked at Harris, it was always fun to get some of the ole' timers who used to work at the moto plant to talk about it. I've included a screen shot from Google Maps, but it doesn't really show too much of what the place actually looks like.

[AUdubon5425]

Originally Posted by Carmine

Slowly but surely, turning an intentionally blind eye to "dumped" electronic imports and closed foreign markets killed thousands of good Chicago-area jobs... Just at Motorola.

This weekend someone gave me a late-60's Motorola solid state clock radio. Price leader model - no buzzer, radio chassis straight from a pocket transistor set. Although there is no "made in..." decal on the set, every component was made in Hong Kong, as I assume the set was.

So the writing was on the wall when or not long after that newsletter was published.

[Findm-Keepm]

Cool post - the newsletter captured two bygone eras - American dominance in electronics and the Mom and Pop hardware stores.

Cheers,

[wa2ise]

I have a couple of these from RCA Sarnoff Labs from the early 80's around here somewhere. Have to see if I can find them...

[bgadow]

AUdubon, I have that same radio, I actually used it for awhile before I got married. (Now she is the alarm clock!) I thought it was at least assembled here...will have to dig it out and see if mine has any markings. Of course, sometimes they made the same model in 2 different countries. There are some GE sets that migrated from place to place over the years, wherever the general could find the cheapest labor I guess.