RES History - October - November 1974

A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society. 1897 - 1974 by Lee M. Loomis

Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War", into and through the “Great Depression”, continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression”, the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, focus and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. World War, again affected the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from The Rochester Engineer has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history, and the Vietnam War has recently become a focal point. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.

The Rochester Engineer” (October 1974)

This issue features a book review, by Ed Stevens, RES Executive Director and Editor of The Rochester Engineer, “The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York”. It reviews Robert A. Cairo’s biography of the man who, in his 44-year career, was responsible for major 20th Century highway, bridge, parks, playground and housing infrastructure upgrades in/around New York City, as well as the massive hydro-electric power projects on the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers. A second article, entitled “Reliability – More than Just Mathematics”, by Herbert C. Schwartz, Manager of Reliability Engineering for General Railway Signal Company, provides an in-depth review of component and system performance analyses. For his article, “Women in Engineering”, Ed Stevens interviewed several recent female engineering graduates of the U of R, collecting and presenting their views on the current challenges and rewards for women in the engineering profession. In a re-print of a recent Science magazine article (August 1974), “Marijuana: The Grass May No Longer Be Greener”, author Thomas H. Maugh II, provides a comprehensive review of current medical and scientific impacts of cannabis, recently approved by the US Government (1969) for limited use by research scientists. It was also announced that the October RES Luncheon meeting would feature RES President, Dr. Richard A. Kenyon, speaking on the Society’s relationship with its Affiliates, its Membership, and the Greater Rochester Community. The November meeting would feature John R. Hoff, Monroe County Legislature Majority Leader and RES Member, Victor F. Vinkey, of Metro-Act, discussing election results. The December RES Luncheon meeting would feature Colby H. Chandler, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Eastman Kodak’s Photographic Division.

November 20, 1974 (Board Meeting, Chamber

of Commerce) The Board approved one new Regular Membership and one Junior Membership application. The Board also approved the application of the Rochester Chapter of the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) for RES Affiliate Membership. Ramesh Khona of MPES announced that the Monroe Chapter would be forming a committee, chaired by RES Member, Roger H. Rice, to look into the recent flooding, caused by a breach in the NY State Barge Canal at Bushnell’s Basin. Albert Curtis, RES Luncheon Committee Chair, reported that luncheon attendance had recently exceeded expectation, and that his committee would be planning satellite luncheon meetings at Kodak and Xerox. Committee Chair, Lee Loomis, reported that Richard O. Simpson, Chair of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, would be the RES 1975 Engineers Joint Dinner speaker, to be held on the third floor of the Chamber of Commerce. The RES Civic Affairs Committee announced five projects including: (1) a new Rochester noise ordinance, (2) improved access to impending legislative action on technical matters on which the RES might provide advice, (3) a “Technical Skills Bank” from which to offer assistance to community projects, (4) a ”Speakers Bureau”, and (5) a “Snow Removal Study”. RES Director, John Robertson, reported that RES membership had reached 601, and he also recommended that Remington-Stockdale be employed at $1,000. to update the RES membership brochure. RES First VP, Jack Schickler recommended that RemingtonStockdale also be hired, at $1,500, to increase advertising in The Rochester Engineer. The Board authorized these two expenditures. The Board also approved a $35 contribution to the Rochester Council of Scientific Societies. Dr. Kenyon announced the resignation of RES Director, Dr. Myron Tribus of Xerox Corporation and reported that Dr. Trybus would be leaving the area to take a post at MIT. Dr. Kenyon also reported that he had attended a joint meeting with County & City Officials and the Rochester Northwest Neighborhood Association regarding truck traffic and related issues, due to the proposed recycling center (Recommended by the RES “Operation RESOURCE” report) on Lee Road, near Lexington Avenue.

“The Rochester Engineer” (November 1974)

An article, “Intertec: The Coatings Company”, by RES Executive Director, Ed Stevens, described a new startup company specializing in coatings for steel, glass and ceramic products, led by former employees of Pfaudler Corporation, who fell victim to a budget squeeze, during the 1970 recession. Editor’s note: This is an early example of many Rochester companies that would evolve in the late 20th Century, from the downsizing of long-term, historic Rochester corporations. Intertec Associates, still led by its original founder(s) continues to provide laboratory, research & development services, world-wide, from its East Rochester location. William E. Jones, Jr., District Governor for Toastmaster International, provided an in-depth article, “Engineers Profit Through Toastmasters”, describing the many benefits engineers have derived from developing their presentation skills through regular participation in this organization, originally founded in 1924.

Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the Korean Conflict, as well as a hoped-for period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry, and the ensuing prosperity of the second half of the 20th Century. We welcome your questions and comments on this series.

Lee M. Loomis