Leo Olsen lost the use of his legs to infantile paralysis when he was 9 years old, but he was determined to be part of WWII. Although a tailor by trade, and a pianist, he found work at the Olin Coporation aluminum plant, on the tide flats, running one of the giant cranes that towered over the electric furnaces. This photograph of Mr. Olsen at the controls of his crane was taken in June of 1944 for the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. (T. Times, 6/27/44, p. 2). Tacoma Chamber of Commerce Manpower publicity at Olin Corp.

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Handicapped persons--Tacoma; Olin Industries, Inc. (Tacoma); Olsen, Leo;

Permanente Metals was opening an Aluminum reduction plant in Tacoma in early spring. They were currently employing men to overhaul 240 furnace pots, install new design collector bars and other electrical equipment that would handle the flow of 32,400,000 kilowatt hours per month. Tacoma's inexpensive power rates has brought this industry that will employ over 300 men. View of men preparing the plant for its future official opening (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5).

Hoisting machinery; Machinery; Equipment; Laborers--Tacoma; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente Metals would produce 40 million pounds of aluminum per year. The company sells a million and a half pounds of finished aluminum sheets per year o many U. S. firms. Permanente Metals had their headquarters in Oakland, California, Henry Kaiser was the President. View of laborers stacking up pigs, alloyed metals that have been cast into individual ignots (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5).

Machinery; Equipment; Laborers--Tacoma; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente Metals in Tacoma contained 240 reduction pots that produced an annual rate of 41,500,000 pounds of aluminum. The plant would employ pot room operators, crane operators, carpenters, machinists, electricians and many other maintenance men. Hoods enclosed the reduction pots, they collected dust and fumes which were then cleaned by a "scrubbing" system before being released to the outside atmosphere. The Tacoma plant was the first to employ this type of system. Exterior view of plant showing the alumina storage towers. (T. Times, 2/12/47, p. 5)..

Storage tanks--Tacoma; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente Metals, Mr. Love. Olin opened a plant at this location September 1942. In December 1946 the company was sold to Kaiser Aluminum who operated Permanente Metals. The Tacoma plant had its own aluminum reduction plant. Permanente produced "pig" aluminum that was transported to Kaiser plants in Trentwood, near Spokane, to be made into specific grades of aluminum by the addition of other metallic elements such as copper, zinc, silicon, magnesium, manganese, etc. Soda ash from California and alumina from Baton Rough were brought to Tacoma to produce the "pigs". (PMC Annual Report for 1948)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Guards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Private police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gates--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

From the evidence provided by this photograph, the security guards at the Kaiser aluminum plant on the Tideflats had a pretty easy life in September of 1947. But one has to wonder what the corporate headquarters for Permanente Metals Corporation thought about the security at their Tacoma plant when they saw this carefully posed picture. The Tacoma plant was only one year old, having been taken over by Permanente Metals Corp. from the Olin Corp. in 1946. (Permanente Metals, Mr. Love) TPL-9603

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Guards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Private police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gatehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Charles P. Love, General Superintendent of Permanente Metals, along with plant technicians activated the first pot line in Tacoma, making October 31, 1947 the first official day of operations. Other pot lines will be activated, once the plant can make certain everything is operating without problems. The plant is expected to be producing at full capacity by the end of November. View of plant technician checking dials and control system (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 1).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals took over the Olin Aluminum facilities, that had shut down in November 1945, these facilities had not been in use until now. Kaiser bought the plant from the United States War Assets Administration, they then invested over one million dollars to modernize the plant. The Tacoma plant featured many self cleaning machines and a knowledgeable staff (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 1).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

View of new pot line at the Tacoma reduction plant of the Permanente Metals Corp. It is the first reduction plant in the world to be thoroughly equipped with a scrubber system. This equipment is able to automatically wash away the fumes that are given off in the reduction process. The system consists of individual collectors connected to each pot and several washing stations. Permanente staff can be seen in the center area of the reduction plant.

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Equipment; Machinery; Control rooms--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente would be producing 42,000,000 pounds of pure aluminum per year at the Tacoma plant. Tacoma's output will supplement the Mead Reduction plant near Spokane, Washington. Permanente Metals delayed their plant opening, until the newest generator of the Grand Coulee power plant was in operation. View of Permanente technicians checking equipment (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 1).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals Tacoma plant was a modern aluminum reduction plant. The plant had two pot lines that produced about 42,000,000 pounds of aluminum per year. This plant was located in the Tide Flats area and was spread over 129 acres, the plant went into official production on October 31, 1947. View of Permanente employee using the time clock (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 1).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Time; Time clocks; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals, producers of Kaiser Aluminum, bought the Olin plant and after rehabilitating and improving the facilities, they have started production. They began operating one pot line, but within a month they should be producing aluminum at full capacity. The Tacoma plant is one of the most modern aluminum producing facilities in the country. Aerial view of Permanente, which is located on the Tacoma Tideflats, covering more than 129 acres of land (PMC Annual Report, 1947-48).

Aerial views; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente Metals began production at their newly equipped aluminun plant on Taylor Way in Tacoma on October 31, 1947. Permanente purchased the former Olin Corp. facility, built in 1942, from the federal government and spent two years modernizing the plant. The remodeled Tacoma plant was the first in the nation to have self cleaning reduction pots with scrubbing systems, minimizing pollution released into the environment (PMC Annual Report, 1947-1948).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

The Pacific Northwest offered Permanente Metals, the producers of Kaiser aluminum, inexpensive hydro-electric power. In order to produce one pound of aluminum approximately 10 kilowatts of electricity is needed, therefore the Northwest is the ideal location for the Tacoma and Mead, near Spokane, plants. Interior view of the pot room, the white powdery substance is alumina, which is discharged into the reduction pots, the molten aluminum is siphoned from the pots into one and a half ton ladles (PMC Annual Report, 1947-1948).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

The Tacoma plant of the Permanente Metals Corporation accomplished its first casting of "pigs" from molten metal in November of 1947. Plant employees in the pot room were photographed getting the newly molten metal in the ladle ready to pour into a mold to form pigs. Cast pigs could weigh from fifty and one thousand pounds depending on size and composition. Once cooled, the pigs were stacked on pallets and transported to the rolling mill at Trentwood, located near Spokane, Washington. The pigs from the Mead and Tacoma plant would later be re-melted in furnaces where other metallic elements were added to form standard alloys. Tacoma's Permanente plant produced aluminum in commercial quantities for Henry J. Kaiser's industrial operations. (PMC Annual Report, 1947-1948; T.Times 11-19-47, p. 18-alt. photograph & article).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

The Steel Workers Organizing Committee later became known as the United Steel Workers of America, including a chapter located in Tacoma, Washington. The United Steel Workers of America Local Number 2626 had members throughout the iron, steel and metallurgical industries in Tacoma. View of Permanente Metals employees in plant, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals was an aluminum producing plant, the demand for aluminum and aluminum made products had dramatically increased since the end of World War II. Aluminum products could be found in kitchens, automobiles, airplanes, luggage, homes and many other areas; aluminum offered durability yet was extremely light weight and versatile. View of Permanente Metals employee oiling a machine, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals had started operations in Tacoma in late October of this year. Permanente Metals employees in plant's pot room, the white powdery substance is alumina, which is discharged into the reduction pots, the molten aluminum is siphoned from the pots into large capacity ladles, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

In June 1936 the Steel Workers Organizing Committee was formed, Phillip Murray, Vice-President of the United Mine Workers was appointed Chairman of the new committee. By the end of 1936 125,000 steel workers had joined the union. View of Permanente Metals employee working in plant, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

United Steel Workers union was formed with the help of the United Mine Workers. The Mine Workers felt the Steel Workers needed guidance and helped them organize a committee. View of Permanente Metals employees washing their hands after a hard day at work, photo ordered by United Steel Workers of America.

Laborers--Tacoma; Washstands--Tacoma; United Steel Workers of America Union Local No. 2626 (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

In 1947 Kaiser Aluminum under the name Permanente Metals leased the aluminum plant that was built in Tacoma by the Defense Plant Corporation. The plant had been built to provide aluminum for the war effort. With the end of the war, there was a surplus of aluminum and the plant had been closed. In October of 1947, Tacoma once again began to produce aluminum, but with the war over new products were created and entered the market including - safety wear. These safety shoes were manufactured with Kaiser Aluminum. TPL-9364

Footwear; Safety shoes; Aluminum; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Products; Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente. The white, powdery alumina was discharged from bins into electrolytic cells known as reduction pots where it was periodically stirred. After heating in the reduction pots the molten aluminum was siphoned from the pots into 1 1/2 ton ladles. The ladles would be transferred by crane to the end of the potroom buildings where the molten metal was poured into molds forming pigs weighing 50 to 1,000 pounds. (Permanente Metals Corporation 1947-1948 Annual Report) TPL-4541

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Founding--Tacoma--1940-1950; Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Permanente. An employee of Permanente at the Tacoma plant looks very grateful for the medical assistance received from a nurse in the medical unit. He is now wearing a large, gauze bandage on his thumb. In 1947-1948 Permanente reported having nearly 5,000 employees in their several locations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Owens Lake, Natividad, Oakland, and Moss Landing, California; and Mead, Trentwood and Tacoma, Washington. (Permanente Metals Corporation Annual Report 1947-1948)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infirmaries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wounds & injuries--Tacoma; Accidents--Tacoma;

Permanente. Two men are having fun with a load of alumina, a fine white powder that is refined from alumium-bearing ore, bauxite. Bauxite was mined in South America, refined, using the Bayer process, in Baton Bouge and shipped by rail to the Pacific Northwest where it was converted into primary aluminum. Four pounds of bauxite were required to obtain two pounds of alumina shich yields one pound of aluminum. As of September 1948 nearly 500 boxcar loads of alumina per month were brought to Tacoma and Mead aluminum reduction plants, thereby becoming one of the largest users of boxcars in the Northwest.(Permanente Metals Corporation 1947-1948 Annual Report; T.Times, 9/6/1948, p.12)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Minerals--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Girls from Catholic College visiting Permanente plant, Bill Gorman. Students watch while molten alumina is siphoned from a reduction cell into a large crucible at the Permanente plant. Tacoma Catholic College had purchased the former Weyerhaeuser mansion, Haddaway Hall at 4301 No. Stevens St., and converted it into a Junior College for Women.

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Girls from Catholic College visiting Permanente plant, Bill Gorman. Several students from the freshman chemistry class at Tacoma Catholic College watch as the white, powdery alumina is added to a reduction pot in preparation to being melted and poured into molds to form pig aluminum. This was the first step in creating the later stages of aluminum that would be used in making Kaiser aluminum products from roofing and siding to airplane parts, ice cube trays and pots and pans. (TNT, 3/1948)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Purchasing Agents visiting Permanente, Washington Purchasing Agents & Manufacturers. The Purchasing Agents Association held monthly meetings in Tacoma. George H. Wilson, from Atlas Foundry and Machine Company, was chairman of the Tacoma group. The group enjoyed a no-host luncheon on March 11, 1948, at the Top of the Ocean followed by a tour throughout Permanente Metals Company aluminum plant. A dinner business meeting was held afterwards at the New Yorker Cafe. The group is seen here outside the Permanente plant. Tall alumina storage towers are seen behind them. (T.Times, 3/8/1948, p.3)

Purchasing Agents Association (Tacoma); Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity shots at Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. One of Permanente's employees sits at his desk checking lists of figures and order forms. A map of the United States hangs on the wall behind him. Clip boards of additional data also hang on the wall along with schedules. A telephone sits to his right on the desk. The man is wearing a sports jacket, a sweater vest and a tie. He also wears a large ring on his left hand. A pencil protrudes from his jacket pocket. TPL-4555

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paperwork; Maps; Telephones;

Publicity shots at Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. A view of one of the switchboard operators at the Permanente plant in Tacoma and the switchboard panel. She is wearing a headset to enable her to use both hands when operating the cords on the switchboard. A telephone dial is seen beyond her right arm and other office machinery is in the background. The young woman is wearing a two piece suit, a white blouse and a plaid scarf. Permanente acknowledged the high value of each employee in their annual reports. TPL-4555

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone switchboards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone operators--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity shots at Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. Two workmen from the Permanente plant shake hands. One of the men is older, wearing coveralls, a stripped shirt and a hat. The other man is younger wearing a plaid shirt, work pants and a hat. They look at each other and smile. It looks like they already like each other and will work well together. The plant facilities are seen in the background. TPL-4555

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950;