1959

From just six basic MICRO SWITCH products come 7,577 different switch and assembly combinations for use in machine tools, presses, machinery, computers, control panels, instruments, aircraft, missiles. These switches are used to control, limit and guide almost everything in the “modern electrical world.”

1958

Twenty-four MICRO SWITCH components provide repeatability at 60 operations per minute on the Ferguson Trans-O-Mator. This machine is currently tooled to assemble roller skate wheels at 30 per minute.

Three types of MICRO SWITCH automatically limit motion, control sequencing and insure safe operation on a high-speed reamer made by the Hoefer Manufacturing Company.

The Navy’s USS Nautilus submarine makes a historic transpolar crossing. MICRO SWITCHES help control many of the highly specialized functions during this famous trip, which took the sub 1830 miles under the ice from Point Barrow, Alaska to the North Pole. Before the Nautilus, no ship had ever been north of 83 degrees 21 minutes north under its own power. [photo on p 16, vol 19, no. 1 January 1959 issue of Micro News.]

1957

MICRO SWITCH Corporation celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The world’s largest shovel, manufactured by Marion Power Shovel Company, uses eight MICRO SWITCH products in the shovel’s automatic leveling controls. The shovel, called The Mountaineer, is sixteen stories tall and weighs 5.5 million pounds. It has a shovel capacity of 90 tons.

1956

The Laxloop Continuous Washer made by Riggs and Lombard, is an exceptionally efficient machine for high speed washing of all types of fabrics. MICRO SWITCH technology in the washer provides safety shut-offs to prevent accidents to operators and materials.

1955

MICRO SWITCH Corporation begins production on the Tap-Lite, a residential lighting wall switch.

Passenger doors on railcars can now be opened with the single touch simply by pressing the push bar to actuate the bar’s MICRO SWITCH device.

MICRO SWITCH component production begins at the factory in Newhouse Scotland.

1954

The new EH series switch is introduced. Designed for use in exposed locations in aircraft, they feature a hermetically sealed, split-contact switching unit enclosed in an aluminum housing. They can be mounted near fuel tanks without danger of igniting escaping gases or liquids.

Larry McGinnis (Plastic Molding Department) is presented with a Bronze Star for his meritorious service while serving in the Korean War.

The Syntron Company uses the BZ-R basic switch to control bin and hopper levels.

MICRO SWITCH components fly high on the Navy’s Cutlass jet fighter where they are used on the landing gear and afterburners for precision switching.

1953

A molding machine manufacturer redesigns his product, making it fully automatic by using 14 MICRO SWITCH devices. The switches make it possible for twelve timing, limiting and safety operations to take place with 33 seconds, a speed never before approached.

1952

A special panel of colored lights tells sailors on the submarine USS Silversides when all the valves and hatches are closed and the sub can dive. This panel uses several splash-poof and corrosion-resistant MICRO SWITCH products that must never fail.

The new subminiature switch assemblies are small enough to fit into a walnut shell, you they weight one-fifteenth the weight of a standard MICRO SWITCH. Push button and toggle switch units are ideal for aircraft applications. [There is a real nice photo of this on page 10 of Micro News Vol 12, no. 8 dated Sept 1952.]

1951

Nearly 75% of MICRO SWITCH component production is for war-related use. Switches are vital components in planes, ships, tanks, guns, radar, bombs, rockets and guided missiles. There are more than 275 switches in large bombers, used for screwjack limits, landing gear limits, wing fold limits, wind lock indicators, throttle warnings and cock pit landing controls.

As of January 1, Honeywell has 16,000 employees.

R. Hoe & Company, manufacturer of high-speed newspaper printing presses, installs several MICRO SWITCH products in the paper tension control box. The switches enable paper roll changes to be made at full-press speed with uninterrupted production. Hoe engineers said they chose MICRO SWITCH technology because of its “precise operating tolerance, rugged construction, small size and dependability.”

1950

Honeywell purchases the MICRO SWITCH Corporation.