From TMA’s Golden Anniversary book
1956–1965
“…a period of new beginnings and direction”
1956 heralded the fourth stage of development for the Tool & Die Institute. The next ten years would be viewed as a period of new beginnings and direction for the Association. In the society outside of T& DI, the years to follow would be viewed as an era of upheaval. The space race, civil rights movements, the Bay of Pigs fiasco, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and Vietnam would all contribute to a new period of tension that would leave lasting memories on all Americans.
The Institute continued to be hit by reoccurring problems. Sales tax issues or the “draft” always seemed to crop up. The same was true of the alleged practice of pirating craftsmen. This problem would loom larger or smaller in proportion to the business picture. It would hit apprentices as well as journeymen. In 1956, this problem was compounded when non-resident Tool & Die Manufacturers landed on the West bank of Lake Michigan and began to encourage apprentices to move to other Mid-West cities. A similar maneuver was attempted in Cleveland, Ohio. However, with the help of the Illinois Director of Labor and the Illinois Employment Service, T& DI was able to curb this threat to its membership.
As the membership grew and more committee activities and special projects developed, the Institute began looking for a more suitable location for its office. Many of the new members were starting their businesses in the North and Northwest areas of the city and many of the established companies were migrating in this direction. Because of this apparent Northwest movement, the T&DI office needed to be more centrally located to properly service its membership. In 1957, 2435 North Laramie Street, Chicago, Illinois, became the new home for the Association.
Around that same time legislation proposing to broaden the sales tax in Illinois was introduced. Once again the struggle between our industry’s position and state government imposition began. Like the past confrontations, this one was defeated although, not before much time and effort and money was expended.
During the mid fifties, the apprentice program became more structured. The loose four-year curriculum was now formally written, an apprentice aptitude test was created and by 1960 apprentice enrollment was up 40% from the previous year. This annual growth increase was to climb even higher by 1965 when the enrollment approached the 1,000 mark.
In 1963 George W. Rockwood informed the Board of Directors that the time had come for him to step down from his position as Executive Vice-President. George had served the Institute faithfully and displayed exactness in his leadership for twenty years. The Board persuaded George to remain on until a qualified successor was chosen and properly rehearsed his responsibilities.
Thomas E. De Pinto, a young man of 35, was hired as the new Staff Executive. Mr. Rockwood worked closely with Tom until October of 1964 when GWR retired.
It was soon after TED took office that an exciting opportunity presented itself to the Board members of the Institute. Under the Civilian Orientation Program of the U.S. Air Force, some 17 T&DI Board members and past Presidents were invited to participate in a tour of Arnold Engineering Center in Tennessee and then of Cape Kennedy. This program was designed to increase the awareness of the businessman on how his tax dollar was working for him. The tour not only provided personal pleasures for those who attended but enabled these men to share their newly gained knowledge with the entire membership.
Forty years old and the Tool & Die Institute showed no signs of wear. New services and programs were constantly being planned and sought after. An orientation program was started for new members so they could quickly become familiar with the numerous offerings of the Association. This service has proved to be valuable means of communication. Also, a pension plan was implemented. Only a handful of companies originally signed up for this program, but over the years, it has been demonstrated to be a worthwhile service that grows in value. Because of the large enrollment in our apprentice training program an Apprentice Newsletter was started to keep the great number of students abreast of the developments in their educational program.
The invasion of the Beatles upon the American scene was a typical reflection of the day. The Sixties were alive with new experiences and with change. Space orbits, blockages, clean air promotions, TV quiz show scandals and riots reflected a volatile and highly sensitized society. And like the environment surrounding it, T&DI showed signs of change and broadened thoughts.
The Story of TMA 1925 – 1975 Part 1