Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-01-27
New Allison Engine,
Built in Factory
Without Windows
Light, Temperature,
Humidity. Ventilation
Accurately Controlled
(Sepenth OF d series on apid-
ton engine production)
BY JOSEPH S. EDGERTON,


Star Aviation Editor
INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 27.-In a
revolutionary new type Of factory
without windows, into which no ray
of daylight ever enters and in which
the temperature never huctuates,
although most of the heat is sup
piled by lights, the running of ma
chinery and the body heat Of the
employees themselves, the new ALI
son liquid-cooled airplane engine is
nearing mass production for the
air forces of two continents.
1t is tradition that the night shift
in industry is less efficient than
day shifts, because men instinctively
slow down during the night hours,
their energies apparently tagging
with the coming of darkness. This
Is not true at Allison, according to
the efficiency experts who are study
ing the effects of the new type OF
factory. Temperature and ventila-
ton are absolutely controlled and
the lighting, from f1uorescent tubes,
is the best science has devised, ap-
proximating that of soft sunlight.
There is no difference between night
and day, and what Is more impor-
tant there is no apparent differ
ence in the quality of work or the
quantity Of work from shift to shift
Allison is working three full eight
hour shifts daily six days a week
and two shifts Sundays. The one
idle" Sunday shift is given over to
overhauling, maintenance and re-
pair of machinery and equipment.
1t Is barely sufficient for the pur-
pose and actually Is one of the
busiest periods of the week.
Machining More Accurate.
received its first War Department
order for engines, three factory ex-
pansions have been undertaken, The
first unit of the expansion program
was completed in November, 1899:
the second was completed this
month and the third is in full swing
and Is to be finished by midyear.
Some of the older factory units
have glass-block panels, but the
new ones have no windows of any
kind, the exterior presenting nothing
but solid brick wall to the outside
world, save for a few well-guarded
doors which are the only openings
of any kind.
The roofs are covered with s
inches of cork insulation and have
no skylghts or openings through
which so much as a ray of sunlight
can pass
These conditions make for a type
Of factory unlike any other vet
built. Absolute temperature, hu-
nudity and ventilation control make
not only for health and comfort
OF the workers, but also make posi-
BILE the uniform machining of parts
to fine tolerances which could not be
obtained if plant temperature
varied
Atmosphere Invig0rating.
The atmosphere within the plant
Is lnvlgorating. There are no in
terror partitions and the effect is
one OF almost outdoor spaciousness,
with acres of close-packed ma
chimes bathed in a mellow, even,
shadowless light. The air is refresh-
lngly cool, dry and clean.
Outside there may be a blizzard,
darkness, or the heat of a close,
sultry summer day. Inside there
is no change and the workers soon
lose track of outside conditions.
There are many surprises to en-
ployes leaving the plant at the close
OF their shifts. Decided weather
changes frequently take place out
side during eight hours, without any
indication inside of what Is going
on outside.
Complete Enclosure of the factory
also Is a protection against enemy
air raids. Since no ray Of light can
enter, 1t also is true that none can
escape and the humming factory at
night might be barren wilderness
for all the wandering airman can
tell. The Allison factory is designed
and built to minimize and localize
bombardment damage in case Amer
lea should be visited by the scourge
of modern war.
Construction embodies lessons of
the Nazi blitzkreig against England
Concrete and slate roofs were found
there to be subject to extensive
damage from bombs. Resilient
sheet steel and cork insulation.
however, could take a great deal of
punishment with only local affects
and could be quickly repaired.
Should enemy bombers ever get to
inland indianapolis and seek out
this important defense plant, they
would find a factory as capable as
any in the world of taking their
worst punishment and swapping
back into production.
Moreover, the new factory, prop
erly camoufaged, would be hard to
find from the air and the Army in
tends to protect it as much as posi-
BILE by forbidding the taking Of
aerial photographs and restricting
ground pictures as much as posi-
bic as question of military policy.