Exposure of "concentrated load test" at DFPA lab. Scientists measure results as several 50 pound weights, totaling 500 lb., are place on top of a circle of plywood. Random testing of the plywood produced in all mills provided quality control. Two laboratories, one in Tacoma and another in Eugene, conducted a continuing program of testing and research funded and supported by the industry itself.

Plywood industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Testing; Experiments; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Exposure of large machinery dwarfing the laborers at Ace Furnace & Steel Co. This machine is either a shear press or a brace press. The company was built in 1930 and was owned by Alvin T. Davies. Ace produced steel and sheet metal products- furnaces, tanks, stacks and did electrical welding.

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Iron construction--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma;

Interior of new ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical. The $2 million anhydrous ammonia plant was completed in May of 1952. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is used by firms such as the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper mills and fertilizer and explosives manufacturing companies. By completion of the plant, the entire production was already contracted for and the plant was set for another $6 million dollar expansion to be competed by the fall of 1953. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. Control room for production of anhydrous ammonia at the new ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is composed of three parts hydrogen to one of nitrogen. The hydrogen is obtained from electrolytic cells, which convert salt brine into caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen. The rock salt used is obtained from the San Francisco bay area solar evaporation ponds. The nitrogen is obtained from the air by liquefying equipment manufactured by L'Aire Liquide of Montreal. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Views of the plant at Hudson Machinery Company, Inc. Hudson Machinery were dealers in machinery located at Townsend at Minneapolis, Tacoma Tideflats. Frank C. Hamprecht was president and Walter E. Liggett was secretary-treasurer. A unidentified man poses beside shelves filled with parts and a center cabinet filled with drill rods.

Hudson Machinery Company, Inc. (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Machinery Industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Workers and their families at the Pacific Boat Building Co. celebrate the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) 116, hull 29 by munching on Nalley potato chips and drinking Nesbitt orange soda. In the background can be seen more hulls under construction. The AMS 116 was one of five 144 ft minesweepers contracted with the firm by the Navy. Naval rearmament was fueling the Tacoma ship building economy. (T. Reporter 7/23/1952, pg. 1)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Women in suits, hats and corsages pose around 7 year old Barbara Broback holding an engraved silver tray commemorating the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) 116, hull 29 at Pacific Boat Building Co. Carolyn D. Anderson, wife of the Mayor, was the sponsor.The boat building firm was begun in 1937 by partners A. Strom and H. Dahl.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Broback, Barbara;

Launching of A.M.S. (motor mine sweeper) #113 at Tacoma Boat Building Company for the Navy. Ship sliding down the ways into the water as it leaves building. The AMS 113 was the first Navy minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII. Tacoma was rapidly becoming a major center of Naval boat building in our nation's rearmament effort. Tacoma firms held a total of $20 million dollars in Naval contracts. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2 & 7/8/1952, pg. 8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The rear of the hull of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) as they prepare for launching at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The Endurance was the first of four 171 foot minesweepers constructed by Martinac for the Navy. Martinac was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." The frames for the minesweepers were laminated in their branch office on Baker dock and then barged up City waterway to the plant for placement in the new boats. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Holroyd Co's concrete block plant next to Meadow Park golf course. Sheds filled with blocks, gravel piles, trucks and automobiles. Water in foreground. The address of this location is never given, it is referred to as the gravel pit in Meadow Park. The water body is manmade and probably used in the manufacturing process. The company also had a gravel pit at Nisqually.

Cement industries--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Holroyd Co's concrete block plant next to Meadow Park golf course. Sheds, gravel piles, truck and automobiles. The address for this location is never given; it is referred to as the gravel pit in Meadow Park. The company also maintained a gravel pit in Nisqually. Holyroyd Co. manufactured building materials, concrete building units and mixed concrete. The structure in the left background is built into the mountain of gravel.

Cement industries--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Rounds of cheese stored for aging, cheese making process- Tillamook cheese. Taken for the Tillamook County Creamery Assoc., Garibaldi Oregon. Most cheese is not ready to eat until it has had time to ripen, or age. The flavor of the cheese develops during the ripening period. Bacteria in cheese keep working until the cheese is right, and the cheese maker encourages or stops bacterial growth by controlling the temperature and humidity of the storage area. Cheeses lose moisture as they ripen. The longer a cheese is left to ripen, the drier it gets and the harder it will be. The ripening period can range from a few days for soft cheeses to more than two years for a hard cheese like Parmesan.

Cheese; Dairy products industry--Oregon--1950-1960;

Merchandise display at the Winthrop Hotel, Evergreen Room, in July of 1952. Nalley's celebrated not only their successful line, but also their solid blue collar labor pedigree by displaying the various unions of its employees. Nalley products pictured are Lumberjack Syrup, Mayonnaise, Potato chips, honey, ketchup, salad dressing, relish, pickles, mustard, shoestring potatoes, "Esquire Sauce," and canned meals.

Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products; Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Swenson evaporators and connecting tubes, stairways to different levels at St. Regis. "Black Liquor" was the substance that was left after the chemical "cooking" process that removed sap and pitch from the cellulose fiber. The evaporator evaporated the water content from the liquor to the point of 52% solids. The liquor was sent to furnaces where it burned like oil, and the chemicals not used in the "cooking process" were recovered. (TNT 2-17-1952, pg. C-14)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two Swenson evaporators and pipes at St. Regis. The molten substance left after the "Black Liquor" burns through the furnace is called "Green Liquor." The green liquor is sent to the caustic department, where the insoluble matter settles out, also the calcium carbonate, and a clear white liquor is made. This liquor is the original one used in the "cooking process" to separate sap & pitch from cellulose fibers and the recovery and recycling is complete. (TNT 2-17-1952, pg. C-14)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Douglas Fir Plywood Association presented a display showing how plywood was used by several industries in the Northwest in the Washington Hall in Portland, Oregon. Washington Hall was part of an earlier exposition in Portland. The hall where the display was housed has been built with columns the look like the trunks of trees. Sky lights in the roof allow plenty of natural light into the interior of the large hall.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland;

The Douglas Fir Plywood Association presented a display showing how plywood was used by several industries in the Northwest including the boat and ship industry, heavy construction, home building and on farms.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland;

The Douglas Fir Plywood Association presented a display showing how plywood was made and some of its many uses in the Washington Hall in Portland, Oregon.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland;

A White tank truck for Larro Feeds is parked in the parking lot of Gereral Mills Inc., Sperry Division, along Schuster Parkway near Sixth. Sperry Mills grain storage elevators are seen in the background.

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Philip H. Fisher received a four-year scholarship of $300 annually to the University of Washington based on his scholastic record in August of 1952. The scholarship was provided by Fred C. Shanaman, president of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, to a son or daughter of a company employee. Congratulating Philip at the Tacoma Club are, L-R, Fred C. Shanaman, Philip H. Fisher, Harry S. Fisher, Philip's father, and Kenneth C. Jones, superintendent of Federal Way High School where Philip was a student. (TNT, 9/12/1952, p.A-8)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Shanaman, Frederick Charles, 1901-1982; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Fisher, Philip H.; Fisher, Harry S.; Beitzel, George B.;

Overall view of three massive laminators with a man leaning over center one taken at the Baker Dock in November, 1951. J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation had its laminating operations at Baker Dock. The laminators were constructed so that workers could get close to the wood being laminated on semi-circular belts. Large overhanging lids appear to be able to fit tightly over the laminators. "No Smoking" signs warn workers not to light up when working with highly flamable materials.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Baker Dock (Tacoma); Laminated wood; Machinery; Signs (Notices);

Launching of "Southern Pacific" at J.M. Martinac. The 123 foot tuna clipper was built for Lu Brito (skipper) along with John Silva. She had a capacity of 270 tons and a crew of 15. She was equipped with a 800-hp Enterprise engine, two 150-hp 120 kw GM generating sets, one 60 kw GM generating set for auxiliaries at a cost of $400,000. She was also equipped with Sperry automatic power steering and an automatic pilot; Tacoma Range Company electric range; a Coolidge propeller, TCA radio, Intervox direction finder and a Submarine Signal fathometer. Additionally she was seaplane equipped. (Ledger, 11/4/1951; Marine Digest, 12/22/1951) TPL-9055

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Globe Machine personnel have gathered for a group portrait in front of the facility. Most of the men wear overalls or coveralls. The company manufactured machinery for veneer, plywood and wood-working purposes.

Machinery industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma)--People;

Testing hardwood at the Plywood Research Foundation. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Research facilities--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma;

A workman moves a stack of cartons of Wesco's sweet peas using a forklift in a large warehouse. The pallet supporting the cartons has been made using plywood. Cartons of StarKist tuna are stacked on the other side of the doorway. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A workman is drilling a hole for the door knob in a door using a specialized rack while another man on right is ready to move another door onto the rack at the new mill work plant in Mountlake Terrace. Ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Times Square Building, Seattle.

Building materials industry--Mountlake Terrace; Building materials; Lumber--Mountlake Terrace;

The interior of the new mill work plant in Mountlake Terrace. Several men are working at machines with lumber stacked along the sides. Ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Seattle.

Building materials industry--Mountlake Terrace; Building materials; Lumber--Mountlake Terrace;

Another machine, a large roller type machine, is used to strip bark from logs at the St. Regis Paper plant. At the end of 1951, St. Regis reached a point where it was able to supply from its own operations virtually all of the sulphate pulp requirements, both bleached and unbleached, of its kraft paper mills. St. Regis had been experimenting at its Tacoma mill in manufacturing kraft pulp from clean waste wood chips and in 1951 was making use of this material on a considerable scale in production. (St. Regis Paper Co. 1951 Annual Report)

Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mechanical systems--Tacoma; Machinery; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Two men are at work at a barking machine at the St. Regis Paper Company. One man is checking the logs while the other handles the controls. The pulp mill at Tacoma was being expanded in 1950 and was expected to be completed in 1951. During 1950 St. Regis was preparing to participate in the national defense program by supplying its regular products in larger quantities for many uses related directly or indirectly to military preparations. Multi-wall bags were used for shipment of essential materials. St. Regis bags had a greater value overseas because of special papers developed to resist moisture and contamination, such as polyethylene-coated kraft paper, for which production capacity was tripled in 1940. (1950 St. Regis Paper Co. Annual Report)

Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mechanical systems--Tacoma; Machinery; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

This is the office of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. (commonly known as Pennsalt), located in Tacoma's tideflats area, in January of 1952. The big chemical plant covered 40 acres on the Hylebos Waterway. The Ionic columns are believed to have been manufactured by the (Washington) Mutual Fir Column Co. who were neighbors of Pennsalt.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;