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FILE NAME: Phenolic Resins (PHR) DATE: 1989 DOC#: PHR024 DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION: Book Excerpt - The General Electric Story, 1976-1986 The General Electric Story 1876 -- 1986 A Photohistory Hall of History Schenectady, New York October, 1989 Third Printing -- Second Edition q& H H M y m O \< m I The General Electric Story Volume 2 1915 Lighting The San Francisco Panama Pacific Exposition is illuminated at night by 48 searchlights having a total capacity o f 2.6-billion candlepower. The display is considered the greatest spectacle of illumination in the world. Transportation As part of the most extensive steam railway electrification in the world, GE installs the country's first 3000 V. DC line for the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad. Forty-two locomotives of 280 tons each are delivered to the railroad. The use of regenerative braking reduces braking problems on the steep grades and improves safety and operating costs. GE installs its first geared turbines for ship propulsion on the " Pacific" . The first " all electric" ship, the 32,000-ton battleship " New Mexico" is launched by the U.S. Navy. Its two turbine driven generators weigh 600 tons each and are rated at 15,000 hp. All vital ship's services are powered by electricity. Communications Gasoline-electric generator sets rated at 5-kw are installed on large steamships to provide power for auxiliary wireless service. Steinmetz Contributions Geared turbine installed on board merchant vessel. " A New Electric Vehicle: The Dey Electric" New York Times Magazine, 1915. Steinmetz was excited by the prospects of the electric car and consulted with Harry Dey. Unfortunately, the novel design did not survive in the marketplace. 52 Drawing of GE 260-ion, 3.000-volt electric locomotive for Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul electrification. 53 GENERAL ELECTRIC PEOPLE AND PLACES DURING THE STEINMETZ ERA 70 /UK West Lynn Works. Lynn. Mass. Pittsfield Works Pittsfield,Mass. 71 DN THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS 1924-1946 The General Electric Story Volume 3 pi 1925 Marvin Pipkin with in side-frost lamp. Early thyratron tube devel oped by A.W. Hull. LIGHTING Inside frosting is adopted as a means of reducing glare and improving light distribution in standard light bulbs. An improved method of etching the bulb in teriors, invented by Marvin Pipkin of the Nela Park Lam p Development Laboratory, produces lamps which are stronger and easier to keep clean than exterior frosted types. COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS Albert YV. H ull dram atically improves the stability of vacuum tubes by the introduction of a screen grid tube, the tetrode. A similar tube was independently invented by Walter Schottky. T he T hyratron, a grid controlled mercury vapor tectifier, is developed by H ull and Irving Langmuir. The tube shows great prom ise of finding application in elec tronic control of medium power devices. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT T he world's largest steel mill motor is built. It is an 8000-hp, 240-rpm unit with higher continuous rating and operating voltage than any other induction motor in steel mill service. World's largest motor, 22.500 hp, 220,000 lbs, for the 'Saratoga World's smallest (Arrow), 1 4.000,000 hp. A o t . 6 Aircraft turner L'.S.S. "Saratoga.'' TRANSPORTATION Aircraft carriers l\S .S . "Saratoga" and L'.S.S. "Lexington" are launched, each to be pro pelled by four 35.200-kw steam engine generators supplying power to eight 22.500-hp motor-driven propeller shafts. These 180.000-horsepower carriers are the largest naval \essels afloat. A Canadian National Railway diesel-electric locomotive makes the longest non-stop run ever made b\ an\ engine -- 2967 miles from Montreal to Vancouver in slightly under 67 hours, with a top speed of 60 mph. The controls and motors are supplied by Canadian General Electric. Ltd. T he Indianapolis 500 race is won b\ Peter DePaolo d rh in g a Duesenberg Special with GE supercharger designed by Sanford A. Moss of Lynn's Thom son Laboratory. MATERIALS Thoriated tungsten filaments are developed for use in electron lubes. Work by Irving Langm uir at the Research Laboratory resulted in filaments from 8 to 50 times more effi cient as producers of electrons than pure tungsten filaments. "G lyptal" alkvd resins are introduced for paints, bonding laminates, lacquers, sealants and electrical insulation. Expanding on work started in 1912. Roy H. Kienle. J.G.E. Wright and others originated a number of reactions that could be used to produce Glvptals having properties specially tailored to the desired applications. T he first large-scale use of plastics for appliances is introduced when molded phenolic is used for the handle and thum b rest of flatirons. Pittsfield's John DeBell pioneers the largescale application of phenolic for vacuum-tube bases. APPLIANCES GE announces the first hermetically sealed domestic refrigerator. The development of this compact, quiet, low maintenance unit is the result of the combination of many tech nologies. Indianapolis 500 winner with GE supercharger, ifrom left) Sanford Moss, August Duesenberg, R.W. Mercer, F.S. Duesenberg, James Kemp, and Peter DePaolo at the wheel. AROUND THE WORLD WITH GENERAL ELECTRIC Japan W hen Tokyo recently opened its new subway, the very first subway in the O rient, the gates were crowded from 6 o'clock in the m orning until 12:30 the next m orning, when they were closed. Many people stayed around just for the thrill of riding under ground for the first lime. The turnstiles were furnished through the T okyo office of the l.G.E. and the cars were run by G-E motors. Bolivia Above the clouds in the moun tains of South America, at an ele vation of 14,000 feet, the Ratio Mines and Enterprises Co. of Bo livia will install 23 switchboard panels. T h is board which is being built at the Philadelphia Works, will control 10,000-volt incoming line and transformer banks, 3000volt synchronous motors and 220volt lighting, small motor, and generator circuits. India T h e selling field of wire jn d table is highly competitive. Many firms m anufacture it. It is difficult to create an outstanding product. However, the Mysore Government has ordered G-E cable for ten miles of underground service. T his is probably a reflection of its con fidence in the material and work m anship of G-E products, as simi lar cable has been furnished bv us to this native government before. 1928 | INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY INC. EUdrifrity has a m u tto n -- to briny more comfort into Ike daily litt o f m art people Russia T he International General Electric Company and the Amtorg Trad ing C orporation, of New York, announced recently that they had signed, under date of October 9th, a contract covering the supply of electric apparatus for export to the I'n io n of Soviet Socialist Repub lics (Russia). The contract provides for the purchase on the part of the Am torg C orporation of not less than S3.000,000 or more than JIO.000.000 w orth of apparatus and mate rial d u rin g the first two years. England Following the successful appli cation of turbine-electric drive to approxim ately 40 American ships, the British have taken up the cue. A 19,000-ton passenger liner, us ing this means of propulsion, is being built in England for the Peninsula and Oriental Naviga tion Com pany, one of the oldest ship-operating companies in the world. T his ship. 600 feet long, will be the first large electricallydriven vessel built in Europe. It will operate between ports in Eng land. India and Australia 16 Brazil An order for 3100.000 worth of light was received from Brazil re cently. T h is includes 774 General Electric novalux lighting units, and about 500 standards on which they will be mounted. In addition, the necessary cable, insulators, and other G-E material needed for this installation will be supplied. T his is one of the largest orders ever re ceived by the International G en eral Electric. T his order not only brings us more work, but shows that G-E products, because of their high quality and the excellent service they give, are gaining steadily in popularity. Canada In order to transmit power from the new Gatineau Power Com pany's generating station at Paugan Falls to Toronto, a distance of 250 miles, it has been necessary to use the highest transmission volt age ever used in Canada. 110.000 volts. Twelve transformers for operation at 220,000 volts were supplied by the Canadian General Electric Co., Ltd. Nine of these will step the generator voltage up from 6600 to 220,000 volts, and the rem aining three will be used to supply power to the 110,000-volt transmission system. Chile T he Chile Exploration Company bought six 70-ton G-E electric lo comotives about a year ago, and re cently turned in a repeat order for three more. This has made neces sary an extension of substation ca pacity. So the order includes a G-E mercury arc rectifier together with the necessary transformers, switch ing equipment and an ample sup ply of spare parts. This apparatus will be installed at an elevation of 9500 feet above sea level. France In spite of high import duties and shipping costs, G-E equipped pro ducts are being shipped in ever greater quantities abroad. This alone is a high compliment to the quality of our products and would seem to indicate that thev are mote highly efficient and economical than those of our Euiopean com petitors. A whole cat load of wash ing machines and boners, all fitted with G-E equipm ent, was recently shipped from Chicago to the French Thotnson-Houston Co. EXTRACTS FROM FT. WAYNE WORKS NEWS - I92S Keep thy Shop and ( TH S y in ft o f A N ew Pag l iosi a aufaffari ag piaa i o d e r o iir d ita beai w earing itepsn aeai. ai ibe aoggoM iuo o f a N sioag G-E beating tp eoabar. bp replacsog four old M i n d , bMcb-ippe broncea w iib a G-E autoaaark electric Conveyor bsraac. IlsndSsag c o m dropped d o p er crac; producim i was tripled, ibo p n i f n i i w ere a u c b i pro*cd. and ibe lo w e r bigb a i i M a t u t c o m dro p p e d our o f b picture. Just Published fo*- I Q 3 I Almanack containing wtK.ilwu | id provoking M g fo tio M A raw dcniiiiigiM liiiify plwrta--dpoblbhcdfai (beAam beliefthodApcnny p<m <* modereezation to-day w ill b e w orth te n p t n t t k i s p e n t to morrow. A M tu i group drive required 104 large b r r iie |t aod 5400 h i t o f be**y M i | . I i a n t*> placed bp G-E iJtn< W l directmo*ot drive w u b JO w m II bear* lo g o Mel aw ace dro p p e d f r o I I <eoo to U <eeu per loo of H igh power-factor 1 as beard d a l to Use plaot to Uw eeedoe o f d e c u k u p - l a aaeap caeca, be G - f talee eagioeer ( a abow poo bow ao p my fo r ~ k * J/a g pow er-factor" apochronoor aaetert owe o f d ie e c o a o w ltr d a follow tbalr loatrllnsoa. faw ead a f p lu g . **1 c a a 't e se a ja c Im p o p p i atoaoe b e te b e o u sa I d o o 't wmm ir io Mop a* everp obage dm u rb ew ce." Cali io Use G-C tea eogloeee and i d b u a io bow pou tbe G E d ate delap f n k e i w b k b koep aor oalp fbcie p l o ri , boi all l a d a l w aoiora, c o ib e Ilo foe all M o p a n i j voitegr drpe. If pow er c o a d irto aa la your plan w ill m a d foll-robsge m rria g . ber are * ausaber o f G-E m o n tra aow available 1e r tbia servie* ikat will greatly si pbfy pour cooivol {w p atM . Continued bearing trouble wi iraced tu an ueinstructed mgM m ao u b o riepped o f ibe b eiti bp nbaodU ng ibe Manar and bepa lightening tb rm up u* a b e i h r nap n e A G E m agocttc ataer would bave saved ti e m om bi cd isiiuMe. Hundred# o f pfaoM are gearin g " o u a p fsb e re d " and acorre of Itarie p la n a are gro w in g big because ibep celled w ib e G-E arc-weld in g special us b tlp tbeae l od e ra i le d m produc w irb a rc w eldsag-- a* g re a m s f a s o d e / iration M ale la' i l o t a ia p a n iM e io a n k t ao are wwboua Usproeiag design oe cbeaiiag ibe acrap heap w ub a near repair. N o b ris a r rim e ao replace boee o ld , i u d d r a i I l o war io ib e forge ib o p ws*b a s b r e C - j b lo u e rabar ap o o d o p p a ad o criao b p oaaioaaiosog e n d o w pressure ou each fornace and reduce pow er o m bocauae tbop are ao e s cient Ateo, ibo uporaainn of poor cupola can bo grely im proved. and a aubm nsM l aevlog in co b e r d i csrd . bp inaialliag G-E cupola b lo w e r w ub uroauitc bla-gM e control G ire poor plane en g in e er t o n e G-E Tl p t t r a a o r p l s t e d s o r i c tu b e equip* aaeou io fla p orkb and p o o ll bo surpetaed at cbo ow e bar o f placo wbero be caa uao (barn to apead productio n . lio p W y c o n tro l aad cue c M 0 After you've replaced a stripped piorno on a m otor ib ab a frw (mmi. atb tb e G-E ta le s ea g io eer to seod poo a Fabro) o r a T e n u iw p a t e a They outlive ommc o rb ar piosoaa bp w ide, w id e aaargios. Tbcp pracucatip t l w taste eolie. too. M*i<rHtzMtiom RtJtfn C u it -- tminmm 'P u p i T h o rc are any n um ber o f w ays in w hich ho G -E m ico engineer con h e lp you io m odernise. A ik him about hem w hen b e colli; o r w rit c h e n e a re ee G -E office. G ENERAL hRlGW ELECTRIC This advertisement, which appears this month in twenty industrial magazines reaching more than 243,000 men throughout the nation's industries, is part of the "Promote Modernisation" campaign being conducted by the Industrial Department 1932 ik World's largest lamp, 30,000 watts, and smallest, "grain of wheal" lamp used in siuguul instruments. (.maw a\ view of tspual CE gear-motor. LIGHTING T he m ogul "bi-post base " lam p is devised by Daniel K. W right of the L am p Development Lab. By using two heavy metal prongs as the lam p's base and as its elec trical connections, stronger units can be constructed for high power lighting applications in the 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000-watt range. Photoflood lamps are developed by Gwilym Prideaux and others at Nela Park. T he low-cost bulbs produce high light intensities for 3-10 hours and are designed for photography and other short duration uses. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT Gear motors for slow-speed drives from 600 to 13 rpm are introduced in 3/4 hp to 75 hp sizes to provide indus try with compact, easily installed drives. APPLIANCES T he GE oil burning furnace is placed in production. Burner units are m anufactured in Schenectady, boilers in Pittsfield, and the complete heating package is assembled in the customer's home. The Air C onditioning Department is established to handle electric devices for home heating, humidifying and temperature control. 34 T he iirsi GE dishwashers are marketed. Consumer financing by the Genera! Electric Contracts Corpora tion is made available to meet the widespread demand for the great variety of new electric appliances. T . S. Fuller, Roy Moore and Louis Navias of the Research Laboratory develop a motor-driven razor sharpener. MATERIALS T he Pittsfield Works announces the use of "Pyranol." a familv of organic liquids having superior dielectric in sulating properties, which make them particularly suit able for capacitors of large size. Frank M. Clark of the Works laboratory was principally responsible for their development. TRANSPORTATION The French superliner "N orm andie" is launched, pro pelled by four of the most powerful motors ever built -- 40,000 hp each, manufactured by GE Associate, AlsThom , in France. This 1029-foot ship is the largest commercial vessel in the world and is destined to usher in a new era of superliners. ORGANIZATION Willis R. Whitney retires from his position as Director of the Research Laboratory and is replaced by William D. Coolidge. Dr. Yt hitnev Retires? Pooh! I nder the above heading, the ,\>tr Vor* .Sun of November 1. 1932 said, editorialist "The General Electric Companv announces that Dr. W illis R. Whiinev has retired.' It means that he has been relieved of the obligations that devolve on the head of its research laboratory In one of his numerous enlightening asides Dr. Whitney, speaking for humanity ai large, has said that 'we are lam eniablv bound bv words.' The corporation bulletin illustrates the truth of his inciden tal declaration. "Dr. Whitney in seclusion. Dr. Whiinev in retreat. Dr. Whitney withdrawn from circulanon -- t hese ar e u n t h i n k a b l e . Th< \ \ hitnev intellect has served know ledge too long io be suspended in iis operations by a mere rearrange ment of o p p o r t u n i n e s . The Whiinev curiosity has so persist ently projected into the abvss of mans ignorance that no shifting of titles can restrain it from future excursions into that fascinating, unplumbed gulf. The U hitnev utilitarianism is too robust to be manacled bv assignment to non routine duties. The Whitney spiritualitv is too pervading to he de finitely engrossed on a scroll and filed awav in a cabinet, no matter how artistically the engtossing be done or how elegantly the cabinet be fashioned. "And, ultimately. Dr. Whiinev possesses a sense of humor and a quality oi wit which veto the no tion that a useful man should oi can retire." The liner "Normandie" -- propelled by four of the most powerful electric motors ever built. 35 1936 46 LIGHTING The coiled-coil filam ent lam p is introduced in standard lamps. First patented in 1917 by B.L. Benbow, the dou ble coiling of the tungsten filam ent increases the effi ciency of a 60-watt lam p by more than ten percent. T he San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge is opened in California, lighted by more than 1000 GE sodium lu minaires. MATERIALS Flam enol'i, a non-combustible, oil- and moisture-resist ant insulation is developed for copper conductors used in home and industrial wiring. The new polymer, made by plasticizing polyvinyl chloride, was perfected by J.G.E. W right, Moyer M. Safford and others under the direction of A. Lincoln Marshall, head of the Chemistry Section at the Research Laboratory. Molding of wiring devices is begun at its Providence, R.I., plant by GE affiliate M onowatt Electric Co. The corporation was formed prim arily to meet the rapidlv growing chain store market for consumer wiring mater ials. John H. Payne invents the "silent" mercury switch (or home use. T he mercury makes contact between metal caps through an opening in a ceramic barrier invented by Louis Navias. APPLIANCES W.K. Kearsley of the Research Laboratory invents the electric blanket. T he first model consists of two sheets sew^r1 together with flexible insulated copper wire be tween them. Kearsley had also invented a vascular exer cise m achine designed to help improve blood circula tion in the legs of arteriosclerosis patients. TRANSPORTATION T he Erie Works is building another "world's first" for the L'nion Pacific Railroad, ft is a locomotive with a closed high pressure steam boiler-condenser-steam tur bine system, whose steam is condensed to water for re circulation, elim inating the need to stop en route to re plenish water. 1937 ? 2 n Ei S o G E N E R A T i N a n d d ist r ib u t io n mcrcial s e r v ic e ^ c o n ^ r ^ te ^ f o ^ f h C buil` f r corr L ight Com pany. T his 3600 m m C Dayton Power an 31.250 kva. aoOO-rpm generator is rated a with m rch lS trL i n d ri t e e i d b S i0r^ m - * * designct sembled laminations ^ replac.ng hand as a ppl ia n c e s Bridgeport, Connecticut. P d ,n operation GE^ years & ea mT rlier, ne^ it m w a u k C es h S o?tbXKs h b T r* "int"rodmuacrkeedt<a?dfe' h me and Piofessional p h o fo ia p h y .,inPrOVemen TRANSPORTATION welding the e n d s T /ra il^ T h is Delaware and Hudson RaiJu, and G E p o r t e d maintenance problems. ' ,ra c k .is formed by devel<>pment c a,C n d ,n g and f 7 h d p ` n" k' r * s s n T h" c e " r,cord hix o ric (light S L S i >up" ch* ELECTRONICS S ' S L ACp3 TM ' b u i l t ,0 m u l w , me,hodr S i f f i Z ,,, T " ' SP* `he old longhand calculations ys** ,n p,ac 48 MATERIALS A.W. Hull and others at the Research Laboratory devel op Fernichrome and Fernico alloys for glass to metal seals used in vacuum tube constructions. Because the coefficients of expansions of the alloys are close to those of the glasses used, strains at the points of sealing are eliminated, and the dangers of seal failure are greatly reduced. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT A GE-powered " lift and turnover" car dum per placed in service on Lake Superior can pick up a 95-ton car and empty its contents into the hold of an ore carrier in a minute. 95-ton electric car dumper on the Great Lakes. THE STREAMLINERS ARE HERE! 9 1941 LIGHTING " Black light" lamps are placed in production. T he ultraviolet radiation produced by these low luminosity lamps can activate fluorescent materials, causing them to glow brightly. George Inm an is granted a U.S. patent for the basic principles of fluorescent lamp design, (see 1936) MATERIALS It is announced that General Electric is the largest pro ducer of finished plastics in the United States. TRANSPORTATION GE-designed turbosuperchargers for aircraft engines are manufactured at its plants at Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and Everett and Lynn, Massachusetts. From 1925 through this wartime period, GE has been practically the sole supplier of impellers for all of the Wright and Pratt and Whitney engines. The new battleship "North Carolina," the largest U.S. warship, is launched; equipped with GE propulsion, she is expected to develop 115,000 hp and have a speed of more than 27 knots. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT GE installs a 1,400,000-volt industrial inspection X-ray machine for the U.S. Bureau of Standards. By using a gaseous insulating medium in place of oil. a sizable re duction in the physical size and weight of the unit is accomplished. Similar high-voltage X-ray machines are used for treatment of deep-seated cancers. Mobile X-ray unit (or medical use. 60 Million-volt X-ray unit for inspecting castings. 1948 TRANSPORTATION The first American gas-turbine electric locomotive, an Alco-GE 4500-hp unit, begins track tests at the Erie plant prior to ship ment to the Union Pacific Railroad A new "supertanker" is launched. This ocean-going giant is powered by a GE turbine operating at the highest combined steam temperature and pressure ever used in a merchant ship and capable of delivering 12,500 horsepower. LIGHTING A new fluorescent lamp is developed to provide the same li.' t for only 85 watts that the former lamp gave for 100 w j. Responsible for the increased output is the use of the rart ^ krypton, in place of argon which had previously been used. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Largest of its kind in the world, the William D. Coolidge Laboratory of the General Electric X-Ray Corporation is dedi cated to commemorate and perpetuate the tradition of x-ray development symbolized by its namesake. 6 i-50 watthour motar, with disk and shaft suspended magnetically. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 1948 A new 66-inch reversing hot strip mill produces steel strip at the record speed of 3900 feet per minute using GE motors and a new magnetic side register control which automatically guides the strip along its predetermined path. The first completely new watthour meter in 50 years, the type 1-50. is introduced. Its magnetic suspension virtually eliminates the wear problems associated with conventional bearings and results in an estimated life of over 60 years, eight times the ser vice expected of conventional meters. POWER GENERATION A 100,000-kilowatt turbine generator is put into service at the Sewaren, New Jersey, station of the Public Service Electric and Gas Company. Operating at 1050F. it is the largest of its type in the world. The Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) initiates the use of digital computers for the design of naval propulsion reac tors. KAPL was organized at Schenectady. New York, two years earlier for the purpose of developing nuclear reactors for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. (See Volume 3) ISAAC F. KINNARD A s manager of engineering for the Meter and Instrument Dept, from 1930-1946, Kinnard had a profound influence on the growth of watt hour meters and electrical in dicating instruments. The analysis and reduction of watthour meter er rors resulted in many of the most accurate meters in use today. Rotor for 100,000-kw turbine-generator being lowered Into position. 7 1949 APPLIANCES Ten experimental models of the "heat pump" are installed around the country as GE engineers test the system's capability for year-round air conditioning. The heat pump works like a refrigerator, reversible to pump either warmed or cooled air in to the house at the turn of a switch. Experimental model of "heat pump" unit for year-round air conditioning. MATERIALS Man-made mica paper insulating tapes are introduced by the Insulating Materials Department. The precise control of thick ness and porosity in the paper-making process produces an in sulation with superior high voltage and high temperature capa bilities. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT The first successful molded instrument transformer. Type JKM-3, 5 kv, is introduced, A new formulation of butyl rubber molding compound and new molding techniques make possi ble exceptional indoor and outdoor stability. Molded instrument transformer proves its durability in steam-chamber test. LIGHTING The Q<oat process, developed by Marvin Pipkin of Nela Park, results in an improved household lamp known as the "Soft White." By coating the inside of incandescent lamp bulbs with tiny particles of silica, the process provides an excellent light diffuser and reduces glare with almost no loss of light. Marvin Pipkin of Nela Park compares the even diffusion of "Soft White" lamp, on left, with standard frosted lamp on same wattage, on right. S TRANSPORTATION Driven by six J35 jet engines, a Boeing XB-47 Stratojet bomber averages 607 miles per hour and sets a new coast-to-coast speed record of three hours and 46 minutes. The new J47 tur bojet will boost the Stratojet's total power by 25 %. 1949 JULIUS H.E. HAGENGUTH An international authority on light ning and high voltage phenomena, Julius Hagenguth developed basic information on methods for light ning protection of rotating equip ment connected to power trans formers. He played a major role in the development of plans for Pitts field's new High-Voltage Labora tory. built in 1949. Lightning strikes the Empire State Building during high voltage tests by Pittsfield's High Voltage Laboratory. POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION The first gas turbine for power generation, the GE MS3001, rated at 3500 kw, is shipped to the Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company's Belle Isle Station. One innovation is the use of the exhaust to preheat the boiler feed water for a 52,000-kw steam station. Completion of the new High Voltage Laboratory in Pittsfield gives GE the world's most modem facility to understand the affects of lightning and switching voltage on power equip ment. The largest industrial building constructed after World War II is occupied by the Steam Turbine Department in Schenectady. Floor space of the new facility extends over more than twenty acres. 9 1950-1951 NATIONAL DEFENSE The Korean War starts and the Ordnance Systems Department begins production of the MK 56 gunfire control, the first fully automatic system to become a vital part of the Navy's anti-air craft strength. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT The successful development of a commercial xerographic unit by Haloid (forerunner of the Xerox Corporation) results in the first production of copy machine power supplies by the Specialty Transformer Department. Design and material improvements result in '^-hp motors that are smaller and weigh almost 50% less than similarly rated units manufactured twenty years earlier. Two 65,000-hp synchronous motors, the world's largest, are installed at the pumping plant of the Grand Coulee Dam. Pittsfield-built M K 56 gun director. POWER GENERATION The Steam Turbine Department delivers the first single shaft 3600-rpm, double-flow, reheat steam turbine-generator to the Dunkirk, New York, station of the Niagara Mohawk Power Company. The 80,000-kw unit introduces a unique construc tion which is especially compact and efficient. 80,000-kw, single shaft, double-flow, steam turbine generator for Niagara Mohawk Power Company. . 12 THE MORE POWER TO AMERICA SPECIAL General Electric'* "More Power to America Spe cial" a ten-car exhibit train, begins a nationwide tour which will continue through 1950 into 1951, Visiting principal industrial centers, it displays op portunities which the electrical industry offers for increasing the nation's productivity. The quartermile long travelling showcase, o f which the 4500-hp diesel-electric engine itself is a part, con tains more than 2000 products and ideas for com merce and industry, for civic improvement, and for national defense. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT Canadian General Electric develops electrical equipment for the world's largest hydraulic dredge. The new Form "G" line of fractional horsepower motors is 25 to 50`S- lighter and up to 40`S- smaller than previous motors of similar power ratings. 1952-1953 W orld's largest circuit breakers for 300,000-volt transmission line. Matching motor parts at Taylor Street plant, F t. Wayne, Indiana. POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION KAPL, under the direction of the Division of Naval Reactors. AEC, develops the major containment concept for nuclear re actors, including the philosophy and equipment for design safety. This concept is used to design the West Milton Hortensphere which houses the prototype plant for the submarine Seawolf. The Switchgear Department builds the world's largest circuit breakers for a 300,000-volt transmission line, highest in the United States. Research and development leading to the reduction of power losses in steels for transformers results in a power transformer weighing 35 tons less than similar units of half the capacity shipped only three years earlier. The first regenerative cycle heavy-duty gas turbine, the MS3002, rated at 6200 hp, is delivered to the El Paso Natural Gas Company's Pecos River Station in New Mexico. It will be used to provide power for natural gas pipeline pumping. 17 1955 POWER GENERATION America's first commercial nuclear power is distributed over the Niagara Mohawk Power Company system. A CE turbine generator and the Seawolf submarine nuclear reactor proto type are used to produce electric power from a plant at West Milton, New York. A new air-blast circuit breaker for 133,000-volt transmission lines is the first of its rating in the U.S. It uses high-pressure compressed air to "blow out" a hot electric arc and, for a split second, interrupt flow of electricity when lightning strikes or a fault occurs on a transmission line. The first large generator with liquid cooled stator is completed by the Turbine Div:-:~n. Rated at 260.000 kva, the unit is capable of supplying i household electrical needs of 700,000 people. Portion of 260,000-kva generator with liquid-cooled stator. KENNETH A. KESSELRING At the Knolls Atomic Power Labo ratory, "K e ss", was a man whose organizing abilities and technical contributions played a major role in many early successes in atomic power development. His involve ment in the development of nuclear propulsion plants for the subma rine Seawolf and the destroyer Bainbridge contributed to the foun dations for G E 's participation in the growth of the nuclear Navy. Ceremonies marking first commercially distributed nuclear power at W est Milton, New York. NATIONAL DEFENSE The free world's largest, most powerful radar is installed in central Turkey for the U.S. Air Force. The GE FPS-17 radar is part of the Air Force's SPACETRACK global surveillance system. As part of Project SABRE, a major effort in upgrading the radar of the U.S. fighter aircraft. Aerospace Electronic Systems Department equips the F-106 all-weather interceptor with its advanced electronic counter-countermeasures equipment. F-106 all-weather interceptor carries Project Sabre with electronic counter-countermeasures equipment. 20 DISTRIBUTING THE PRODUCTS OF TECHNOLOGY rar* **tu*day gvtMiNC po*i 14$ i i fnn\ i\otcirr ax ntn\ Hpi,,g r / G L tC lA L C m t R I C $ i m v < O A M M A tlffir I to fulfill H O C 'SC S ; h a i f t / t n / f wr m - h x h */ */*i4. t r m i c t v t f / i l H i ^ **"f+*Hy tv * >-f '/tcjt Edison's Dream A * f Dt*ON d r * e U p * d lb * Or* pevriw al iiwi>il f < lam p. h mod* pWe (tie t V > ffntu M itr, t n r u l mi ittdt*(ri*l Iwm Si* k ir k r ai* r) / hmipi <f light. l l f*r ik H h l i M l i n i *rhi****iw tM l k l w p#' homage 1 (he great insrtHA*. H n a fir r . Mr. KtlNtn' Mrtginel fM ainlwIitHH k li<hH M dtd lop ith Ih r tm rniH i o f Ihr lamp. U nw*mMt with mav other pttm eefv hr foum l hm 6rM nmirthrtlwm t f lim iin l war Mil o th er p n i i h a o Watt W t a U ar / ih r mm< tm p trla a i was (hr Heiehsfun m t ni f n M p f h / M o r o U f / tiUtrilsMting d w t r v ru rrrn u <hwh m U m W pn iM r the Mir^pread r **( (hr lam p hr k * l w i l u l , Thrar gteai fandamegtal am im pHthmeats larg ely fanM shed the fiMsadatwH* U kl* tt Iw la*. eleetrir m e r a* w* Flftt yrsr* this prahleai * i rieelriral d iatrth alw a a* M t <>f the greatest r a a fra a ii the infant T id i th| im lttatry.gr M gmat |iw p rtw i . ta i f i i a fared with a pevM em a f d id n t w t M . ihri a f a d iffrrr! h ia d -- the problem o f prom pt and M-aanw*ra dtathhatHta o f eU etriral rnpplie* and ap^dianre. T W O n e ra l fle rtrie >ppl* fnepaeauan. a Miwmal hale* ala dtatnhattnp nrgantantm. retrod * m e te ewsgraHiUti* 1 Mr. fd tn tn . and pledg ru ita beat e fo r ta . and those f the O a r m l t lm r w Camp* ahteh aand* harh n f it- In the perfa w ner n f its part m the real lash a f hesagiAg the W m in n f eleetrtrh ta the tm rrtre n people. GENERAL electric su ppl y corporation .Main O fjift: B rid g e p o rt, C onn. i*i *1 Wwrda. fmoirtf *W OnaWr 19,t*2* Electrification in the United States saw one o f its most rapid periods of expansion during the decade after World War I. In 1919, 24% of America's homes were served by electric lines. By 1929, the number had grown to 65% and the increased need for electrical supplies in the newly equipped households presented General Electric with an opportunity to create a nationwide distribution network. In O c tober, 1929, fourteen company-owned distributors and their 76 outlets were merged to form the General Electric Supply Company (GESCO). Headquarters were established at Bridgeport, Connecti cut, with Gerard Swope chairman of the Board and C.E. Patterson president and director. Another director was Charles E. Wilson. 24 G EN ERAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COM PANY G E S C O 's network ot supply houses, such as this one in Phoenix, Arizona stock over 85,000 dilterent items. In 1956, CESCO became a division o f the Company, and two years later a young GE executive named Reginald H. Jones was appointed general manager. During the six years that he led GESCO, it experienced record growth and became firmly established as a full-functioning wholesale distributor o f lamps, lighting equipment, elec trical apparatus and supplies manufactured by GE and over 5000 other companies. In 1976, GESCO's business took on an international flavor when the Saudi Electric Supply Company in Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia became an authorized distribu tor. Distribution centers were also opened in Riyadh and Jeddah. In 1978, GESCO entered the Canibean market in Puerto Rico by assuming responsibility for General Electric del Caribe, Inc. The General Bectric Supply Company ranks high as one o f the lesser known segments o f General Electric. But it occupies a unique position in which it purchases products from some 46 GE manufacturing departments and seeks opportunities to sell its merchandise to all o f GE's plants as well as to outside companies. Its 3500 people in 183 distribution centers in the United States and in growing international markets have built an unchallenged reputa tion for service to the customer and have made signifi cant contributions to the Company's growth. G E SC O sales representative reviews cuslom er's needs outside the world's largest underground mine in San Manuel, Arizona. G E SC O in Saudi Arabia. 25 1956 ORGANIZATION The General Electric Management Development Institute is opened at Crotonville, New York. It resulted from a threeyear investigation initiated at the request of Ralph Cordiner who saw the need to develop an expanded number of man agers trained in additional skills to satisfy the requirements of the new decentralization program and to meet the predicted growth of the Company. From 1956 until 1961 over 1500 managerial and professional employees partici pated in the Advanced Management Course. It was uniquein the industry for its scope and length, and its approach to managerial work. During the same period, the Institute trained over 500 course leaders for the Professional Business Management Course conducted at many of 'he Company's locations. Over the years, activities at Crotonville have reflected changing concepts in education and in management tech niques and philosophy. Executive education programs have been complemented by learning opportunities specifically appropriate to the individual's level of responsibility in a wide variety of disciplines. G E President Ralph Cordiner addresses the first class of the Advanced Management Course at the newly opened Crotonville Management Development Institute. A TRADITION OF EDUCATION The recognition of the need for continuing, post-school education goes back to the earliest days of General Electric, when the Experts Course was organized to develop engi neers who could deal with the new technologies that pro duced the Company's products. This was followed by the Apprentice Course, the Test Course, organized by Albert Rohrer; and the Business Training Program. 'Test" as it is fondly and proudly referred to by its alumni, offered tech nically trained college graduates opportunities for a series of assignments at a variety of Company locations, augmented by formal classroom education, before a decision would be made on career concentration. Later, the Advanced Engi neering Program was formulated to develop problem solv ing and analytical capabilities at levels equivalent to gradu ate engineering school educations. In the 1970's a number of programs were established which combine the best fea tures of Test", for example, with those of other courses of study in technological areas. The Edison Engineering Pro gram is the most recent of such programs. The same has been true of non-technical areas - as exemplified by the Financial Management Program, which has provided indi viduals with a broad base of familiarity with the Company's diversified operations, and has been a training ground for many of its business leaders. The philosophy of career-long opportunities for develop ment is centered not only in the formal training programs but in a great variety of technical and non-technical courses to meet the needs and interests of virtually every type of employee - and where the pertinent educational opportuni ties do not exist internally, they are provided by financial support of external programs. In looking to the individual self-betterment of its employees General Electric is continu ally building the resources for its own progress. Student Certificate issued the same year that the General Electric Company was formed-- 1892. 1957 Tri-Clad brushless generator for computer power supply, under test by engineer E. H. (Ed) Perkins. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT Silicon-controlled rectifiers are incorporated in a new class of small synchronous generators that eliminate brushes and add reliability and cost advantages. Punched paper tape input for numerical control of machine tools is announced by the Industrial Control Department. This new industry standard is known as the GE "Mark Series" line. Static magnetic digital switching and solid-state analog elec tronic amplifiers are introduced to the metal industry in the automation of an Inland Steel slabbing mill. Mill operation is controlled by a punched card program conhol system. LOUIS T. RADER A key contributor in the develop ment and design of numerical con trol, computer and automation equipment throughout his industrial career, Rader was formerly Vice President and General Manger of the Communication and Control Division. His technological achieve ments were recognized by his nom ination to the N atio nal Academy of Engineering. Continuous path tap control contouring and milling machine. 29 1957 MATERIALS CE announces the full commercial availability of manufactured industrial diamonds for use in metal-cutting and other difficult materials processing operations ranging from glass-grinding to commercial drilling and dentistry. Robert H. Wentorf. Jr. synthesizes Borazon cubic boron ni tride, a material not found in nature and second in hardness on ly to a diamond. Its potential use in materials processing is en hanced by the ability to remain hard at temperatures where diamond will bum. The first successful hydrostatic pressing of massive molyb denum billets is made by Howard Green, George Kaiser and Walter Brinn. Refractory Metal Products Department is the first commercial producer of large hydropressed tungsten and molybdenum billets used for forging rocket nozzle and other high temperature, high performance parts. APPLIANCES Housewares Division introduces the first commercially feasible combination spray, steam and dry iron, increasing the range of fabrics that can be conveniently handled with a single, house hold iron. Robert H. Wentort demonstrates that Borazon Is hard enough to scratch diamond. Cross-section of spray, steam and dry iron. 30 1957 U S S Seawolf, the U.S. Navy's second nuclear-powered S u b m a rin e . {Gnr#l Dynimic* Photo) POWER GENERATION GE receives the U.S. Government's first nuclear reactor license for its five megawatt Vallecitos Boiling Water Reactor near Pleasanton, California. The unit goes into operation as a generator of electricity for the Pacific Gas and Electric Compa ny and also serves as an operator training center and reactor component test complex. Enriched uranium-oxide fuel pellets for nuclear reactors are first developed and produced by Carboloy (now the Metallur gical Products Department). The Navy's second nuclear powered submarine, the USS Seawolf, contains a reactor plant designed by KAPL, under the direction of the Division of Naval Reactors, AEG and uses the liquid sodium cooling concept. It is commissioned at trie Elec tric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. Vallecitos Bolling Water Reactor, recipient of first nuclear reactor license. TRANSPORTATION The Erie Works makes its first shipment of a standard export universal locomotive to Chile. It is a 900-hp, six-axle U9C die sel-electric. KARL PALEY COHEN An early advocate of reactor con cepts which the U.S. ultimately adopted for commercial power generation, Cohen made major con tributions to the development of the gaseous diffusion and centrifuge processes for enriching uranium. 31 1958 POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION The Advanced Reactor Systems Department pioneers a fast breeder reactor theory indicating that such reactors can be eco nomically viable. It also develops a ceramic oxide fuel for use in fast breeder reactors. The Specialty Transformer Department introduces industry's first guaranteed noise level, high temperature transformer, the "QHT" (Quiet, High Temperature). PAUL GREEBLER S ta rtin g in the la te 1960's, when he joined G E 's nuclear breeder reac tor team. Greebler contributed many of the discoveries that made breeder reactors possible. He first described the Doppler effect in a fast, mixed-oxide-fueled breeder and the Key role this phenomenon plays a s an inherent safety mecha nism. QHT dry type transformer, with old type D in background. NATIONAL DEFENSE The largest operational radar laboratory in the free world is de veloped and operated for the U.S. Air Force on the island of Trinidad, down range from Cape Canaveral. Armament Systems at Burlington. Vermont, produces the first linkless ammunition feed system, reliable at rates up to 7200 rounds per minute. It is used for the M-61 Vulcan gun installed on the Air Force F-105 fighter plane. Testing the Vulcan gatling gun at Burlington, Vermont, firing range. MATERIALS The Wire and Cable Department announces Vulkene, an insu lation utilizing cross-linked polyethylene technology. Vulkene's high temperature properties will revolutionize the cable in dustry and usher in a new generation of solid dielectrics for cable insulation. Trinidad radar laboratory, largest in the free world. 32 INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 9 5 9 The world's first electro-hydraulic control system for steam turbines is introduced at Dow Chemical by the Medium Steam Turbine Department. The replacement of mechanical hydrau lic controls provides greater accuracy and lower maintenance making the new system the forerunner of all GE turbine con trol systems. GE supplies the first integrated power control room (PCR! for a Jones & Laughlin Steel continuous annealing line. The self-con tained, enclosed units include interconnecting wiring and ven tilation and offer faster and less costly field installation. World's first electro-h iulic control system for steam turbines installed at Chemical plant by Medium Steam Turbine Department. USS Triton (GENERAI. DYNAMICS PHOTO). NATIONAL DEFENSE USS Triton makes the first round-the-world voyage without surfacing. During the 83-day, 36.000-mile trip, the nuclear dual reactor plant, designed by KAPL under the direction of the Division of Naval Reactors, AEC, demonstrates ample power to move the ship at cruiser task force speeds. Pittsfield's Ordnance Systems produces fire conbol and guid ance equipment for the Navy's Polaris Missile System, one of the nation's leading deterrent weapon systems. The MK 73 director for guided missiles of the Navy's Tartar System goes into production at Ordnance Systems, which has been a continuous supplier of gun mounts and directors for 38 years. M K 73 guided missile director. 35 1960 POWER GENERATION The first large-scale, privately financed nuclear power plant goes into service. It is the 1 10-MW Dresden 1 unit of the Commonwealth Edison Company near Chicago. Illinois. The Large Steam Turbine Generator Department supplies the first turbine built to operate on steam from a nuclear reactor. The I92.000-kw unit operates at liOO rpm and uses 950 psi satu rated steam. A new type of turbine is designed to drive boiler feed pumps supplying water to the boilers that produce steam for main-tur bine generator units. The boiler feed pumps integrate into the total power plant cycle, resulting in greater efficiency of power output and water usage. Pioneers in the develoment of utility boiler feed pumps (I. to r.): Harry Mayor, Stanley Styrna, John Cunningham, and Edwin Pace. Turbine Department's Applied Research and Development Laboratory develops processes for producing turbine castings. Anatomy of tandem-compound, double-flow reheat steam turbine-generator. 37 POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION The first "Package Power Plant" is supplied to the electric util ity industry with a shipment to South Carolina Electric and Gas Company. The unit is a completely self-contained gas turbine generator. almost entirely factory assembled and tested, and ready for installation as a peaking station to provide extra sys tem capacity, or as a standby power source for emergencies. The introduction of the high capacity vacuum interrupter for protection and control of medium voltage power systems ena bles the development of smaller, lighter, power breakers re quiring less maintenance. 9 Two "Package Power Plants," each rated at 14,000 k w operated by G as y Electricidad. Mallorca, Spam. ' SPACE EXPLORATION The Space Division develops NIMBUS, an earth-oriented me teorological satellite, the first of a series of seven that supply scientific data on atmospheric and environmental conditions. Preparing N IM B U S prototype tor test in Valley Forge space simulation chamber, one oi the largest in the world. 41 1961 TRANSPORTATION The Erie Works builds the country's largest diesel-electric loco motive. The U25B is a 2500-hp four-axle unit designed for high speed freight service on domestic railroads. The first railroad application of solid state silicon rectifiers is on New York, New Haven k Hartford Railroad commuter cars. New York, New Haven & Hartford commuter car. first railroad application of solid state silicon rectifiers. GUY W. WILSON At the Erie Works. Wilson pioneered the dieseiization of America's railroads and played a prominent role in the development and marketing of some of the world's most powerful locomotives -- gas turbine electric and diesel electric types. The U25B diesel-electric locomotive. ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS The Compactron, an electron tube allowing multi-functional receiving capability within one glass tube, is introduced by the Tube Products Department. The Federal Communications Commission approves G t s pro posed standards for FM stereophonic broadcasting and CE's Schenectady station, WGFM, starts broadcasting in stereo. ANTAL CSICSATKA After fleeing his native Hungary in 1956. Csicsatka joined the Radio Receiver Dept, in Utica where his pioneering contributions in radio engineering included the invention of the stereophonic broadcast system that w as adapted as the U.S. standard and is used in 90V of the countries of the world. Stereophonic table model radio with detachable speakers. 42 1962 MATERIALS The Silicone Products Department introduces the use of RTV sealants to industry and subsequently to construction and con sumer markets. In 1958. room temperature-curing RTV sili cone rubber was developed. High power, solid state silicon rectifiers (SCRs) are made possi ble through the development of a tungsten substrate that matches the expansion characteristics of silicon yet serves as an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity. Produced by the Refractory Metals Department, these pressed and sintered tungsten discs serve as the basis for many new forms of power conversion. RTV silicone rubber is demonstrated by Silicone Products' Charles A. Bsrridge. Ernest F. Weiser invents a staged phase control rectifier propul sion system that provides smooth, stepless control for rail cars and reduces wayside equipment costs. It is first introduced in "Silverliner" cars for commuter service in the Philadelphia area. The USS Bainbridge with its power plant designed by KAPL under the direction of the Division of Naval Reactors. AEC, is commissioned as the Navy's first nuclear powered missile frigate. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT The Drive Systems Department pioneers the first successful application of digital computers to control hot strip steel mills at Me Louth Steel Company. Use of the CE 312 computer pro vides the means for more accurate control operations, more uniform product quality and higher productivity. Industrial Control Department builds industry 's first solid state control and applies it to a battery-powered fork lift truck. 46 *5**R{ . -1 FREDERICK T. SCOTT When Fred Scott joined the Indus trial Control Department shortly after World War It, he brought with him a solid background of field sales experience. He provided the marketing leadership that increas ed the Department's business more than sixfold during a period of 20 years. 1962 t APPLIANCES The Mini-Basket washing system is added to the automatic washer to improve small load washing efficiency and to permit the handling of delicate handwashables. Jt uses 25 percent less energy than the small load setting on the same washer. The first Package Terminal Air Conditioner is the ZONEL1NE which can be installed through the wall in apartments, motels, schools and other institutions to allow individually controlled heating or cooling at the touch of a button. The first foamed-in-place urethane insulated refrigerator is built at Appliance Park. The new 15.8-cu. ft. capacity Space maker fits in the same space as the 1947 version of a 10-cu. ft. model. LIGHTING The Cool Beam dichroic reflector PAR lamp is developed for use in places needing increased light and reduced heat, such as food storage facilities. Its operation is based on a filtering pro cess which permits ail visible light to be reflected and more than two-thirds of the infrared (heat) radiation to be reab sorbed by the parabolic aluminized reflector. POWER GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION The development of a patented system for detecting and locating corona sources (partial discharges) in power trans formers significantly improves their reliability and life expec tancy. A standardized line of geared turbine-generator sets is devel oped for marine applications. These units drive electric genera tors to supply all electrical power aboard vessels ranging from LNG container ships to nuclear attack submarines. JOHN C. DUTTON At the Medium Transformer Dept., Dutton pioneered the programming of the first computer designs of G production transformers in 1952. His early exploratory approaches to vaporization cooling would later culminate in the development of the revolutionary VaporTran* trans former. Corona testing power transformers at Medium Transformer Department, Rome. Georgia. 47 INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT 1963 The popular '/j-hp motor reaches a stage in its evolution where it is about one sixth the weight of the same rating at the turn of the century. The capabilities of the static exciter system (19601 are extended to the utility industry with the installation of a unit on a new 224.000-kva generator at Southwestern Public Service. The first completely thyristor-powered rolling mill drive sys tem is installed at Bethlehem Steel's Bums Harbor facility with 26.000 kw of thyristor power supplies. Reductions in equip ment size and weight are accompanied by increased reliability and efficiency. Worldwide use of GE electronic controls with computer-di rected. time-shared digital position regulators is initiated with installations in new hot strip mills in Taranto. Italy; Newport. England; and Abbey Vale, Wales. Evolution of Vi-hp motor. Thyristor-powered rolling mill drive on Bethlehem Steel plate mil). APPLIANCES Mark P. Hogue of Appliance Park develops a unique, food waste disposer design incorporating an encapsulated series mo tor and the use of stainless steel throughout the water bearing components. The results set new standards for high reliability and long life, at a moderate price. The P-7 self-cleaning oven is introduced. In developing the oven, which uses a pyrolytic system to remove food soil, GE engineers were granted some 100 patents. 4"? Electronic Patient Monitoring System. Vulcan Air Defense System (VAOS). MEDICAL EQUIPMENT 1964 An electronic patient monitoring system for critical care appli cations is introduced by the Medical Systems Business Depart ment. A new automatic Dial Paging System is available for hospital and industrial use. POWER GENERATION Plans are formulated for SEFOR. the nation's first fast reactor fueled with plutonium-uranium r ,e. This 20-MWe demon stration plant near Fayetteville. / nsas, venfied the theoreti cal work of CE scientists and demonstrated the feasibility of Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors. The first POWER BLOCK arrangement of gas turbines is built for Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company's Enid Station. These units, operating under a single control, consist of four General Electric MS 5000 units, rated at 14,000 kw each. NATIONAL DEFENSE GE receives U.S. Army authorization to develop the groundbased Vulcan Air Defense System. This rapid-fire system is a vital part of NATO and other U.S. ally anti-aircraft defense equipment. C. HERBERT RIDGLEY Until his retirement in 1967, Ridgley guided the Missile and Armament Department in its vital armament system role in support of the nation's defense efforts 51 INSTALLING AND SERVICING THE PRODUCTS OF TECHNOLOGY The concept o f equipment installation and service and specialized engineering support for its products dates back to the early years o f General Electric. The Thomson-Houston Company opened a field service shop in Philadelphia in 1882. A year later, in order to assure satisfactory on-site installation, adjust ment and maintenance o f its arc lamps, the Company trained and established an organization o f "experts", ancestors o f today's Installation and Service Engi neering field engineers. The first "ex pert" was Edwin Rice who later became the Company's president. APPARATUS SERVICE BUSINESS DIVISION The Apparatus Service Business Division encompasses a network of more than 190 Service Shops in 19 countries worldwide - with the International Service Department headquartered in London. It employs more than 12,500 skilled technicians and craftsmen. KEY EVENTS (1947-1978) 1949 The first International Service Shop is opened in Rio de Janeiro. 1955 O ne hundred Service Shop employees are flown into six Northeast ern states to help repair electrical equipment at industrial plants and utilities damaged by record flooding after two hurricanes. 1959 Schenectady Instrumentation Service, begun in 1896, opens its first shop dedicated exclusively to instrument service. 1966 The introduction o f the GEGARD motor rewinding and insula tion process sets a new standard in motor maintenance and repair. 1975 A mobile transformer test van, with portable generator rated at two million volts, is placed in service. I provides factory-quality dielec tric testing on-site, saving down-time and costs involved in trans porting the transformer to a test facility. Testing circuit board during electronic instrument repair. 1975 A new Measurement Service helps locate invisible mechanical faults and potential equipment failures faster and more efficiently using state-of-the-art analytical tools such as thermographic surveys and acoustic emission tests. PETER C. VAN DYCK Starting in 1954 as Finance Manager of the Service Shops De partment. the Schenectady native became its General Manager in 1961 and in 1971, Vice President and General Manager of the newly-formed Apparatus Service (Division. He held that position until his retirement in 1979. Under Van Dyck's leadership, the Di vision grew rapidly to its present worldwide network, introduc ing service innovations such as GEGARD, instrument rentals, measurements and diagnostic services, nondestructive testing mechanical repairs and locomotive rebuilding. ' Minneapolis Service Shop applies new wire to heavy apparatus. 52 INSTALLATION AND SERVICE ENGINEERING DIVISION The Installation and Service Engineering Division has evolved to a worldwide organi zation of 170 offices, with 20 located outside o f the United States. Its staff consists of some 4,200 people, the majority of whom are engineers whose skills and talents match the profile of customer needs in the geographic areas in which they are station ed. KEY EVENTS (1947-1978) 1951 An Aircraft Gas Turbine Section, predecessor o f I&SE's Aviation Section, is established to install and flight-test General Electric jet engines. 1955 Twelve Field District Engineering components and a foreign Installation Turbine Section are incorporated into the newly established Installation and Service Engineering Department. William M. Denny becomes its first manager. 1964 Transfer of the Power Plant Engineering Operation to I&SE adds utility and in dustrial plant capabilities and system design expertise. 1966 To help supply the growing need for field engineers, the Field Engineering Pro gram for graduate engineers is established. 1970 The Pacific HVDC lntertie Project, the country's first high-voltage dc transmis sion line, is installed by I&SE. 1974 The Field Engineering Program moves to a new Field Engineering Develop ment Center on Balltown Road in Schenectady. / W. G. ELY 1901 - 1927 F. P. W ILSON 1927 1942 W. M. DENNY 1942 1964 CHARLES C. THOMAS Early in his career, Charles (Tip) Thomas was in volved in a number ot international projects that gained him a worldwide reputation as an outstand ing systems engineer. From 1953-1964, he held key managerial assignments in Advanced Technology Systems, Construction Engineering and Power Plant Engineering. Among the pioneering projects that he managed was the design and turnkey in stallation of the first large steam-gas cycle power plan! for the Oklahoma G as and Electric Company and the first targe computer-controlled steam plant tor the Southern California Edison Company. In 1976, Thomas was elected Vice President of the l&SE Division. l&SE Field Engineering Center houses classrooms and laboratories containing mechanical, electronic and electrical equipment that field service engineers are likely to encounter. 53 1965 POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION Ten J79 type aircraft gas turbine engines are combined to pro vide hot gas to drive a single stage 1200-rpm gas turbine capa ble of producing 100.000 kw . The plant, built for the Cincin nati Gas and Electric Company's Dick Creek Unit ^1, can bum either natural gas or liquid fuel by changing fuel nozzles and is designed for fully automatic, unattended operation. The nation's first 500- kv power transmission system is pro tected by GE 500-kv Air Blast Breakers, the first power breakers of this rating. The breaker features the largest non porcelain insulator column ever applied -- a GEPOL unit. 4 ft. in diameter and over 15 ft. in length. Canadian General Electric supplies EHV er ipment for Q ue bec's 735.000-v transmission line, operai ig at the highest voltage of any commercial line in the Western World. introduction of the Load-Vac tap changer increases trans former operating levels and the time between required mainte nance. Fuel cells developed by the Direct Energy Conversion Opera tion are the first used in space flight as they power the Gemini 5 and Gemini 7 missions. An ion-exchange membrane, in vented by Research Laboratory scientists Leonard W. Niedrach and W. Thomas Grubb, is a vital link in the construc tion of these highly efficient devices for converting fuel di rectly to electricity. PIER A. A8ETTI Design ot the first electromagnetic model of a transformer won Pier Abetti the Charles A. Coffin Award in 1953. He later pioneered a com puter method for automatically translating customer specifica tions into power transformer design data, and when Pittsfield's E H V experimental transmission line was energized at a record breaking 720,000 volts, Abetti was manager of the project. 56 1969 TVA turbine-generator, rated at 1.104.000 kw. POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION The largest GE turbine for a plant using fossil fuel is built for the Paradise Unit No. 3 of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Rated at 1,104,000 kw , it has a 3600-rpm shaft driving one generator and an 1800-rpm shaft driving another generator. The Big Sandy Unit No. 2 of the Kentucky Power Company, rated at 737.000 kw , is the Steam Turbine Division's largest double reheat turbine, The first large scale production of nuclear fuel bundles and other components for boiling water reactors takes place at a newly opened manufacturing facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. Previously, such components were fabricated in lab oratories and other prototype operations. Nuclear fuel bundle production at Wilmington. North Carolina. Big Sandy Station No. 2 of Kentucky Power Company, housing a 737,000-kw double reheat turpme. 64 STUART G. MILLER As Manager of the Wilmington Manufacturing Department of the Nuclear Energy Products Division from 1972 until 1977, Miller developed and implemented unique computer applications for manufac turing, process control, and quality testing of nuclear fuel systems. 1969 TRANSPORTATION A special gear transmission system, based on design principles developed for both aircraft and marine gearing, is provided by the Medium Steam Turbine Department to meet the confined hull requirements of hydrofoil ships. The first "Super Rapid Transit" propulsion system is intro duced on the PATCO transit line from Philadelphia. Pennsyl vania, to Lindenwold, New Jersey. High performance motors and controls and on-board automation equipment provide smooth acceleration, speed regulation and positioned station stops. APPLIANCES New "Super Rapid Transit" system with on-board automation equipment {above) sets new standards in commuter transportation. Appliance Park annoui.<-es the first side-by-side refrigerator freezer with an automatic dispenser for ice cubes and chilled water through the door. Side-by-side refrloerator-freezer with automatic ice cube and chilled water dispenser. 66 Four LM2500 turbines power Spruance-class destroyer. Geared marine steam turbines drive U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, U S S John F. Kennedy. SHIPS AT SEA General Electric jet engine, steam turbine, nuclear, and mechanical gear technologies help power and propel sea going vessels for national defense (above), commerce (right), oceanographic research (bottom, left) and high-speed transportation (bottom, right). LM2500 marine turbines first applied to roll on/roll off Nuclear powered NR-1 deep submergence research vessel. iG<tira' n*rtmir- PfvMOt Hydrofoil ship uses special gear transm ission system. UNDERSEA EXPLORATION 1970 The Tektite II Program, an undersea habitat for prolonged un derwater investigations, is the most ambitious of its kind ever attempted. Under the leadership of the Department of the In terior, GE makes contributions which include design, installa tion and maintenance of this habitat where over 50 scientists and engineer-aquanauts engage in scientific studies INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT Tektite I) undersea habitai for long-term oceanographic research. The first adjustable-speed state inverter technology. NATIONAL DEFENSE For the Air Force Minuteman ICBM program, the Re-entry Systems Department develops and produces the Mark 12 re entry system. Modified versions of the Mark 12 will be used on the U.S. Navy's Trident ballistic missiles. In 1963, the Mark 6 vehicle became operational as part of the Air Force's Titan II deterrent missile system. ac drive is introduced, using solid GERHARD NEUMANN Neumann s innovative work in lightweight and high performance engine de sign s led to the record breaking J79 engine and its su c cessors. A s Vice President and Group Executive, he established the jet engine in new areas of mili tary, marine, commercial and in dustrial applications. Synthesi2ed oem diam onds created in the laboratory by subjecting graphite (dark powder) to extreme pressures and temperatures. CM2S00 g a s turbine for ship propulsion. TRANSPORTATION Gas turbines based on the CF6 jet engine technology are chosen to power the newest Spruance-class Navy destroyers. A year earlier the LM 2500 heavy duty gas turbine demon strated its capabilities on a merchant vessel. Other versions of the power plant are used for 25.000-hp drives for gas pipeline pumping. 71 1971-1972 POWER GENERATION AND TRANSMISSION The new CECO method for the production of nuclear reactor fuel is placed in operation at Wilmington. North Carolina. Conversion of uranium hexafluoride to high quality uranium dioxide is accomplished pyrolytically without the complex wet chemical process required earlier. The first prototype of a zinc-oxide arrester is installed as part of the development of systems for the improved protection of transmission lines and equipment. Canadian CE and turbines help make Labrador's Churchill Falls hydroelectric generating station one of the largest single-site producers of electricity in the world. The station feeds ac pow er to the Eel River, New Brunswick, station, which converts it to dc and reconverts it to ac for transmission to eastern Canada's population centers. The conversion system, built in cooperation with Philadelphia's Power Delivery Group, over comes synchronization problems between the adjacent ac transmission systems. Canadian G E generator being installed at Labrador's Churchill Falls. APPLIANCES The Carry-Cool portable room air conditioner is introduced. Its light weight and rugged construction bring cool air in a package with convenience and cost previously unattainable. The extensive use of reinforced plastic produces, in one piece, an internal structure which would have required 27 formed and painted sheet metal parts. CARHy-COOl The Carry-Cool portable room air conditioner, low In weight and in cost NATIONAL DEFENSE A new I500-hp helicopter engine, the T700. developed for the U.S. Army, establishes a model for aircraft maintenance. It can be disassembled and maintained using only the ten standard tools included in the G.I. tool kit. Ordnance Systems develops hydro-mechanical power trains which provide for rapid maneuvering and simplified operation at the high speeds required of the Army's infantry fighting vehicle. An electric stabilization system is also designed for the new combat vehicle. 74 1973 TRANSPORTATION The Locomotive Department delivers the world's first 50.000 v. oOOO-hp thyristor-controlled locomotives for the Black Mesa and Lake Powell Railroad. FREDERICK W. BAUMANN A Steinmetz award winner in 1975. Baum ann is credited wtih conceiv ing and developing eleven maior Small A C Motor Oept. product lines. These included an aluminum frame redesign that resulted in igmficant improvement in the istruc(ion of lightweight effici ->otors. World's first 50.000-v, 6000-hp thyristor-controlled locomotive. INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT The development of centrifugally cast aluminum alloy stator frames and end shields results in performance improvements and reductions in the weight of small ac motors produced at the recently completed plant at Hendersonville. Tennessee. The Drive Systems Department makes the first application of large cycloconverter technology in a 16,800-hp wound-rotor induction motor, opening the way for the development at even larger ac drives. Engineer Bill Smith at S A C plant in Hendersonville Tennessee, removes motor frame irom fully automatic casting machine. It can produce a fO-hp frame, weighing 13 pounds, every two minutes. ELECTRONICS The first solid state .mager based on charge injected device technology is invented at the Research and Development Cen ter by Gerald J. Michon and Hubert K. Burke. The stamp-sized device, which converts an optical image into an electrical video signal, replaces bulky video vacuum tubes used in conven tional TV cameras. Gerald J. Michon (I.) and Hubert K. Burke (r.) display solid state imager held by Michon. An experimental TV camera built around the invention, is aimed at the imager and ' displays it on the television screen. 8: H ELPING TO FINANCE CO N SU M ER AND INDUSTRY NEEDS The General Electric Credit Corporation has been part o f the General Electric family since 1932. Pint known as General Electric Contracts Corporation, it was organized for the purpose o f financing the purchase o f consumer appliances. In that capacity it stimulated demand for appliances during a critical period o f economic recovery from the nation's most severe depression. Today, GECC is still a leading lender in the home products field, providing a broad spectrum o f ser vices to retailers and consumers, including casualty and life insurance through its Puritan Insurance Companies. In addition, it has become the largest non-manufacturing company in commercial and in dustrial equipment financing and leasing. GECC is not a commercial airline.. .but in 1978 it had the ninth largest fleet o f commercial airliners in the U.S., with 77 commercial aircraft on lease. In 1967 GECC leased three DC-9 aircraft to Allegheny Air lines in the first such transaction in the aviation industry. In 1969, it signed a lease that provided United Airlines with 29 aircraft over a four-year period. GECC is not a railroad.. .but it has accumulated more than 22,000 pieces of rolling stock-enough to make up a train 250 miles long. In 1975, GECC participated in the largest leveraged lease in railroad history and provided som e 9,500 boxcars for American commerce. 90 GEN ERAL ELECTRIC CREDIT CORPORATION Over the years, the Genera] Electric Credit Corpo i ration has provided similar services to a wide vari ety o f industries requiring large capital investments to remain viable. Through these activities it has also played a key role in the continuing develop ment and application o f the products o f tech nology. GECC is not a maritime shipping com pany.. .but its fleet, leased to oil carriers, includes seventeen tankers that have an aggregate of 2,527,000 deadweight tons, the most o f any fleet in the U.S. Merchant Marine. The 368,000-deadweight-ton GST Atlantic, the largest tanker ever built in the Western Hemisphere, was acquired by General Electric and leased to the Shell Oil Company. General Electric Credit CORPORATION Administrati O fficTl H o io n i iac as suiw iw d, ct o t w On of the biggest names in almost everything. A Continuous Miner, shown here, is typical o f equipment acquired by Quarto Mining, a subsidiary o f North American Coal Company, through a lease by GECC. The lease arrangement allowed Quarto to acquire the equip ment with no out-of-pocket investment and with much lower interest expenses than if Quarto had financed the venture conventionally. 91 G E 'S N E W D IM E N S IO N IN N A T U R A L R E S O U R C E S Utah International joined the GE family in December 1976 when a merger was approved by the share owners of both companies. This merger gave General Electric a new bus iness dimension in natural resources and an acceleration o f growth in international markets. Steam-powered shovels, mechanical marvels of the early 1900's, replaced the pickaxe and hand shovel. Utah's railroad construction included trestles, tunnels, bridges, grading and track-laying. BEGINNINGS Founded in 1900 as The Utah Construction Company, the enterprise spent the better part of the first 50 years of its ex istence as a heavy construction and engineering company. Most of the work in its first 10 years was the building of railroads, and the Company was the leading railroad contractor in the far West. By 1920, the railroads were largely built, and the company turned its efforts toward heavy engineering construction ef forts, such as dams, tunnels and earth moving. It was one of the leaders in the joint ventures that built such great structures as Hoover (1936), Bonneville (1940). and Grand Coulee (1942) Dams. In the period shortly before and immediately after World War II, Utah's construction activities extended outside of the United States to Australia. Canada, Mexico. Peru. Brazil. Colombia. Indonesia, Guam. Korea and the Philippines. The Company utilized its earth-moving skills to enter into mining ventures in the U.S. and in many of these countries. By 1971, Utah had removed itself from the heavy construction business and was committed mainly to natural resources - on an international scale. Hoover Dam on the Colorado River required 5000 workers for its construction. 96 After World W ar II, Utah's earth-moving skills were applied in this Cedar City, Utah, Iron ore mine.