CHARLES LINDBERGH AND "THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS"
Simpson Electric’s prominence in the panel and test instrumentindustry dates back to 1927, when our founder, Ray Simpson, builtthe indicating mechanism for the earth inductor compass thatCharles Lindbergh relied upon when he flew “The Spirit of St.Louis” on the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Forthirty-three hours, Lindbergh’s life and success of his historicflight depended largely on this navigational instrument, while theworld awaited his arrival in Paris.
This honor was only the beginning of Simpson’s ground-breakinginnovations for our customers. The first of many patented designsfrom Simpson featured a full bridge type meter movement with softiron pole pieces which were anchored, providing a rigid frame tokeep the movement in proper alignment.
MORE SIMPSON FIRSTS
Other Simpson “firsts” indicative of continued leadership andquality in the instrument industry include:
- First commercially-practical core meter movement
- First to use split coil frames for controlled damping underspecial applications
- First to use non-shatter glass in instruments
- First to put a zero adjust on lower-cost high-gradeinstruments
- First Lucite illuminated meter face providing better scalevisibility
- First shielded line of small portable instruments that metrequirements for checking areas where strong magnetic fieldsexist
- First commercially-practical two-inch wattmeter in America
- First compact “all purpose” volt-ohm-milliammeter, the “260,"that thousands of military personnel used during World WarII
Ray Simpson always had an affinity for the Lac du Flambeau areain Wisconsin and held a special interest in the Chippewa Indianresidents. In 1946, Simpson purchased the old school in Lacdu Flambeau and converted it into the Simpson Electric moldingplant.
NASA APOLLO PROGRAM
The 1960s saw SimpsonElectric as part of the American space program by developing aspecial two-movement, cross-pointer instrument for the Apollomissions. In all, fourteen different types of “the NASA meter,” asthey became known in Simpson plants, were built during the Apolloprogram. They were used in the spacecraft, for ground supportequipment where dependability was crucial, and by prime contractorsworking on the aerospace frontier. The makers of the “Apollo 13”film, released in the summer of 1995, needed to replicate controlrooms and training facility locations with historical accuracy.They contacted Simpson and obtained permission to use our products.Some controllers were shown in a panel and an ammeter, whosereadings were critical for the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew,was displayed in close-ups.
Also in the 1960s, we saw Simpson introduce a new line of digitalpanel meters to keep up with technology and the demand of itscustomers. In addition, elapsed time meters were designed forresearch labs, manufacturing plans, and broadcast stations thatwanted to keep life and performance records based on operatingtime.
COMMITMENT TO OUR CLIENTS AND OUR TEAM
In 1985, Simpson Electric was purchased by the Lac duFlambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. The tribal councilmade the purchase to preserve the existing work force and to createa more diversified economy for north central Wisconsin.
MADE IN THE USA -- QUALITY, INNOVATION ANDDEDICATION
Simpson’s long involvement in the panelmeter and test instrumentation industry has led to strong, enduringrelationships with many American manufacturers noted for thehighest standards of quality control. Quality companies seekquality products. Product innovation, along with a long standingreputation for quality, is what will continue to grow Simpson.Developing an effective strategy for growth means studying thecustomers, the marketplace and the competition. This researchresulted in the company directives: to be held in high esteem byour customers, to be a low cost high quality manufacturer and to bea growing company.