The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1954-01-21
OBSERVING "a
Continued from page u

NSSI
where he was associated for some
time with electrical instrument man.
ufacturers after graduating from the
local school. Then in 1904 he return
ed to Button to organize his own
plant in an upstairs room in the
downtown area. This early location
was the back room of an old brick
building which, stood on Main street
on. the site now occupied by Urich's
Market.
Market.
Initial products of the concern
were pocket meters, the first of their
type which had been offered in this
country. The instruments were hous-
ed in casesabout the size of watches,
and their design represented an en-
tirely new development in the field.
The principal types of meters
made in 19O4 were for dry battery
testing, and shortly after the found
ing of Che organization the meters
were destined to be widely used for
testing in the early automotive field.
Four Employees
The initial force of employees con
sisted Of four persons, and Nh. Trip
lett did all engineering design work,
handled the direction of production,
purchasing of materials, correspond
ence; was the office force, and in adj
dition served as the salesman.
One typewriter was available and
the company records were kept in
pen and ink Bookkeeping was done
in long hand; invoices, bills of lading,
| ETC., also were written out.
In the field, as a salesman, Mr..
Triplett soon obtained a wide accept
ance for his meters. In 1905 the con-
Germ moved into d small frame plant
building on College avenue, where
Triplett Plant No. 2 now is located
and as the BUSINESS continued to ex-
pand, additions to the factory struc-
ture were made, the last in 1928
when floor space was practically
doubled. In addition, for many years
until 1923, Tie machine shop was To-
Gated in the present warehouse build
ing on Cherry street.
During Che four years following
1928, the company enjoyed one of its
periods Of most rapid growth, as the
use of Instruments became more
widely accepted. At the same time
there proved to be a greater demand
for radio testers, a field in which
Triplett was one of the pioneers and
made many exclusive contributions,
among them being the design of one
of the first direct reading radio tube
testers.
New Plant in 1885
In 1882 the Triplett organization
expanded to include the production Of
precision measuring instruments, anc
the rapid growth of business necessi
tated the construction of a modern
new plant which now stands on Har
mon Road and is designated as plan.
No. 1. This Building was erected il
1886 and the beautifully landscapec
grounds With the attractive bricl
building facing the drive along Rile!
Greek represents the Transformation
of a back gard pasture lot and dump
ing grounds into one of the SHOW
places Of Button.
When World War II started, Trip
lett was one of the few companie
capable of producing fine electrical
measuring instruments and radio AM
radar test equipment.
During the peak of wartime out
put two new, two-story stone bloel
buildings were constructed to NEE
the expansion needs.
Now in the 50th anniversary yea
of the firm Me Triplett organizatioI
+ can take satisfaction in knowing tina
the business founded here in 1904 ha
grown into Buttons largest singh
industry, and one which was capabl
of answering its country's productio1
needs at a time when the creates
crises Of war occurred.