Raytheon Company: The First Sixty Years (MA) (Images of America) [Paperback]

Alan R. Earls (Author), Rober E. Edwards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2005

Raytheon's history is one of the great American success stories. Launched in 1922, the Cambridge-based company quickly moved to the forefront of innovation in the electronics industry. During World War II, thousands of Raytheon workers contributed to the war effort, supplying eighty percent of the magnetron tubes (vital components for U.S. and British radars), developing miniature tubes for the crucial proximity fuse in antiaircraft shells, and providing entire radar systems. Although government contracts slowed after World War II, Raytheon continued to develop military components, including leading-edge radars and missiles for America's defenses in the Cold War, but it also began to offer a host of civilian products: the famous RadaRange (the world's first microwave oven), televisions, marine radars, transistors, miniature hearing aids, and medical equipment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Publication: Title: Exhibit at Watertown Free Public Library chronicles women's work in time of war Author: Alan Earls Date: 11/5/2008 In times past, but for a few prominent exceptions, such as Molly Pitcher in the American Revolution, women did not participate in military combat. Instead, they often took over roles on the home front traditionally reserved for men. The role of women in support of national war efforts is the focus of an exhibit throughout the November at the T. Ross Kelly Family Gallery of the Watertown Free Library. Titled, Yes They Can!, the exhibit of historic images showcases the lives and times of the Women of Watertown Arsenal, and other local employers, through a series of photographs selected by Alan R. Earls, from his Arcadia Publishing photo-history books, Watertown Arsenal and Raytheon: the First 60 Years. Although the photographers are anonymous, many of the images are reminiscent of those crafted by famed photographer Lewis W. Hines, said Earls. Those photos capture the hard work and occasional triumphs of daily life in an industrial setting traditionally dominated by men and primarily span the period of World War I and World War II. Although women were employed by the Arsenal as far back as the American Civil War they represented more than 10 percent of the 800 employees at the time, according to historical records and many more worked during World War I, it was in the Second World War, the age of Rosie the Riveter, that their numbers and influence really grew with total employment reaching into the thousands. And, in a nod to the future, said Earls, The photos from the Second World War show a more confident and diverse workforce, with women and men of all races working together in many roles. Nationally, according to the Rosie the Riveter National Historical Site in Richmond, Calif., some 6 million women worked in defense industries and support services during World War II, including shipyards, steel mills, foundries, lumber mills, warehouses, offices, hospitals and daycare centers. The Watertown Arsenal was operational from 1816 to 1967, initially serving primarily as a regional storage facility for military supplies. By the time of the Civil War, however, the arsenal had begun its transformation into a major facility for the design, development and manufacture of military products, particularly artillery. Although the Arsenal faded from view after its 1967 closure, it didn't disappear. Army research activities occupied a section of the property until the late 1980s, for example, at the smaller research organizations such as the Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center. Many of the buildings associated with the Arsenal have gone on to serve new and important functions as the Arsenal Mall, offices and research spaces. The women and the Arsenal may be gone, noted Earls, paraphrasing an inscription at the Rosie the Riveter historical site, However, we should remember that, without women, there might have been no victory in 1945. The exhibit area is on the second floor of the library, 123 Main St., and admission is free. The T. Ross Kelly Family Gallery is open during normal library hours. --Wicked Local Article

About the Author

Alan R. Earls, a technology and business writer, has covered high-technology stories since the early 1980s. Robert E. Edwards, a forty-three-year Raytheon veteran, was an engineering manager and is currently a volunteer at the Raytheon Archives. Alan R. Earls, a technology and business writer, has covered high-technology stories since the early 1980s. Robert E. Edwards, a forty-three-year Raytheon veteran, was an engineering manager and is currently a volunteer at the Raytheon Archives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing (May 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738537470
• ISBN-13: 978-0738537474
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #358,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A vivid company history, September 6, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raytheon Company: The First Sixty Years (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

Raytheon's history begins in 1922, when the Cambridge company became a major innovator in the electronics industry and moved to become a major contributor of the war effort and beyond. Technology and business writer Earls has produced high-tech stories since the early 1980s, while co-author Edwards is a forty-three-year veteran of Raytheon: together they provide a vivid company history. It's the very local region histories of small cities in Massachusetts where Arcadia really shines.

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look at Raytheon, November 17, 2010

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James D. Crabtree "Doc Crabtree" (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Raytheon Company: The First Sixty Years (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

This book provides a visual history of Raytheon, a company which has produced several notable weapons systems, air traffic control radars and many other products. A pioneer in certain types of tubes, Raytheon did notable work on early tactical surface-to-air missile systems and has a large presence in the corporate landscape. My only disappointment was in the selection of photos (far better photos of Patriot and HAWK missile systems exist). A good book but it's a topic you're already going to have to be interested in to get anything out of it.

3.0 out of 5 stars Good pictures...kinda interesting, May 22, 2010

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Amber M. Anderson (Tucson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Raytheon Company: The First Sixty Years (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback)

This has a bunch of interesting pictures from the early days of the company. Good for showing war time industry also.

Not that much actually historical content beyond the pictures though...fairly incomplete picture overall.