From TMA’s Golden Anniversary Commemorative Booklet published in 1975
1966–75
“…new adventures and far-reaching goals”
“…One small step for man, but one giant leap for mankind” – With these words the United States stepped on the surface of the moon. This event, like so many more, would typify the years between 1966-1975.
Long range thinking was demonstrated throughout the fifth decade of the Tool & Die Institute. Even with T&DI’s pension program still in its infant stage, plans were made to expand its coverage. Foreseeing that the future would dictate a more progressive pension structure, the Pension Trust implemented a “Super-Imposed” plan in addition to the “Basic” program. This new proposal provided appealing benefits, some of which offered substantial annuity and death benefits under an optional selection structure and the cost of the plan was deductible as a business expense. The SuperImposed Plan was particularly attractive to key personnel because the number of benefit options were more plentiful.
Another show of awareness for the years ahead on the part of the Institute was portrayed in a skit entitled “Tomorrow-Today.” This skit was presented to over 300 people at a general dinner meeting in 1966. The professionally directed play dramatized the changes facing the Tool & Die and Mold plants, particularly those to be brought about by the introduction of numerical control machining. The presentation was highly praised for its content and professionalism.
Most Chicago area residents will remember the excitement of the winter of 1967. It will have particular memories for many of T&DI members. On January 26, 1967, while the Institute began its day by preparing for an evening of enjoyment at the Annual Meeting, a typical winter snowfall began. By mid-afternoon, the worst snowstorm ever to hit Chicago blanketed the city. The Metropolitan area became motionless and without choice the ’67 Annual Meeting was cancelled. Let it be said that it took a crippling blizzard to halt the Tool & Die Institute!
The closing years of the sixties found the Association knee-deep in new and expanded activities. In the field of apprentice training, it was anticipated that our enrollment would reach the 1,500 mark in ’68 and in 1969 T&DI conducted the largest Apprentice Completion Ceremonies in the history of the Institute. In that same year, a study was started on the feasibility of having Related Theory instruction for machinists.
Other areas were going strong as well. A new campaign was embarked upon the development of an Association Safety Program, and in connection with Sentry Insurance and the National Tool, Die and Precision Machining Association, a safety dividend plan was formulated. Also, the Institute became a charter member of the Wise Owl Club of America, sponsored by the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness, which is designed to enhance their realization of the need for Eye Safety in the plant.
To hone up the membership’s senses in different areas, many educational events were scheduled. A new type of seminar – the Executive Excursion – cosponsored with the University of Illinois was introduced; and, an in-depth research project was begun by an Ad Hoc Long Range Goals Committee to gather up the most up to date information on Marketing, Manpower and Money in the Chicagoland tooling industry. The latter activity culminated in a widely distributed publication entitled “Profile the InterFusion of Reflections Re: The Tooling Industry in the Chicago Metropolitan Area”.
In addition to the above, they introduced an Annual Technical Conference entitled the “Technical Travelogue.” The conference in 1968 saw an aggregate enrollment of over 500 persons.
Over 900 related metalworking firms comprised the membership of the Association as it entered the last leg of its first 50 years. The early years of the 1970’s continued with the same excitable climate of the 60’s. Vietnam persisted to be a thorn in the side of many Americans, the lingering pains of the 1969-70-71 recession, the Watergate scandal, Economic Controls, and inflation provided for an uncomfortable environment.
The Institute first felt the effects of the recession in its apprentice training program. Enrollment dropped quickly to 855 students, a loss of over 350 in one year. Membership size also showed evidence of the tighter economy. Membership growth was stifled for some time. Yet the Association’s services did not stagnate.
To intensify the safety efforts of T&DI, a safety awards program was initiated, and by 1971, one hundred and thirty-three companies were eligible for the award.
Another award program was also developed. This program was designed to honor two notable individuals on an annual basis; one for his or her outstanding service to the industry and one for his or her distinguished contributions to the Institute. These awards were named after two industry pioneers, Max P. Heinze and John Winzeler, both of whom, when they were alive, promoted the high standards denoted by these Awards.
During the 1970s, a concentrated effort was applied to the evolution of metrics in the tooling industry. With the United States being the only major country in the world still working in conventional units, and with the change over inevitable, T&DI began promoting metric’s future existence and need. Formal announcement of this program was seen in a Resolution passed by the Board of Directors of the Institute.
The Tool & Die Institute experienced two unique and very prestigious events in this same period of time. A conference on “American Industry in 1990” was conducted at the White House and T&DI was extended an invitation. Receiving an invitation from the Capitol made it apparent that the Institute was a viable and nationally respected organization.
The second important happening was playing host to a Japanese delegation when their tour of industrial centers brought them to Chicago. Plant tours of member companies were made available to this delegation. This opportunity not only allowed for the development of cultural courtesies but was an excellent occasion for T&DI members to exchange ideas and compare technologies.
In 1974 the Institute broke off the restraints of its old apprentice training curriculum and created a more progressive and viable Related Theory structure. No longer did the traditional four years of study apply. A three-year accelerated program was developed with more defined teaching procedures. The pioneering efforts of T&DI in vocational education was more proof that throughout fifty years, the Institute has always continued to strive for excellence.
As the first 50 years of T&DI came closer to an end, a long awaited goal was attained. On Wednesday April 18, 1974, Accura Tool & Mold, Inc., became T&DI’s 1,000th member. Norman H. Andreasen (1974 T&DI President) presented Accura with a beautiful plaque commemorating this historic occasion at the spring dinner meeting. Over 200 guests were in attendance to welcome this new member and to mark this crowning achievement of the Tool & Die Institute.
The Story of TMA from 1925 – 1975 Part 1
The Story of TMA from 1925 – 1975 Part 2