Putnam patriot., 1929-09-26
VISIT TO ATWATER
KENT FACTORY
LRv Warren w. Averilll

10y warren w. ANtIiNt
can truthfully say that whatever
expectations | entertained they
were great expeetations-prio 20 my
recent tour through the Atwater Kent
radio factory in Philadelphia, were
immensely overshadowed By the ac-
tual event itself. Frcm the time
walked through the imposing en-
trance. with its beautifully kept lawn
and trimmed hedges and shruhbery,
until the time, hours later, when !
had completed my tour Of the worlds
largest radio factory, | was constant
liz greeted by wonder after wonder
The two large brick and stone
buildings. comprising the main plant.
are Observation-Disclosures in their
vast expanses. They cover 80 acres
Of floor space in all and are the latest
word in modern, improved industrial
architecture. Together they form
the largest radio manufacturing plant
in the world, as well rs one of the
largest industrial institutions. Both
buildings are skylighted in saw-tooth
design. in tier after tier. literally day
light factories, designed to give the
maximum amount of natural light.
Great sun-flooded floors, excellent
ventilation systems, electric-iced wat
er coolers. great numbers Of sani-
tary Mushrooms and lavatories--
luncheon cafeterias strategieally plae-
ed throughout, serving the finest Of
wholesome food.
/ discovered that one employee in
every ten is an inspector or tester, and
that every receiving set has 70 pass
1852 tests before it receives the anal
Q. X. The last test is a comparison
with a master set. and unless the set
being tested is just as good as the
master" il is summary rejected.
Huge Departments
We walked through huge depart
ments where giant machines were
grinding out thousands of individual
parts every hour of the day. We
passed by gigantic tubs and watts
great pitch baths-shining, whirring
motors-all fulfilling their indispen-
sable job in the building Of the radio.
One little machine we passed was
turning out d small steel nut every
ten seconds. Il seemed almost hui
man the way il caught up the ma
terials and swiftly worked them into
the finished article.
The market-places and far-flung
industries of the whole world, il
seems. were eombed to provide the
material that is quickly and amaz-
ingly turned into thing of wonder
and de light 20 the human ear-the
finished radio.
Iron from the mines Of Minnesota,
tin frem the mines of England, zinc
from Jersey and some from Italy.
lead from Spain and Australia, all
come TO the Kent factory TO be made
into cabinets, speaker housings. wires
fcr soldering. brass tubes and screws
and knurled nuts. From Belgium
comes the fur OF hares used in the
manufacture Of felt; India sends a
beautiful shellac for satin-like finish
ing; from Singapore comes the finest
grades Of rubber.
British Guiana furnishes the clay
from which aluminium is reduced to
make washers and condenser plates
the sunny South sends her snowy cot
ton, which is used in the insulation Of
. wires. The romance of radio begins
in many parts OF the world, long be-
fore the vast Atwater Kent factory
receives the raw materials. | learned
there are 1905 separate pieces of
material in each Atwater Kent Mod
el IS Table Set.
| also learned from my guide that
thousands Of men and women are
employed in this great factory every
working day. Just think-a whols
town rooted under the guiding geniu:
Of radios outstanding personality
A. Atwater Kent! The capacity pro
duction Of the entire plant is over
10000 receiving sets and loud speak
ers a day-and almost as many set
and speakers are shipped from rail
read sidings along the factory every
day TO all corners of the globe.
also learned that hundreds o.
men and women were needed just Il
clean and keep the plant in apple-pi
order Everything is cleanliness II
self-another example of what far
seeing and humane captains Of IN
dustry are doing for their employee
giving them pleasant and health
surroundings and up-to-date working
conditions.
noticed one long moving over
head belt carrying parts to variou
departments. This one belt was tw
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