Vintage lab setting  …  SCM or HP? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2023, 11:42:50 pm
content: Recently found a picture (see below) of my late father-in-law who worked as an engineer at SCM Corp in the Bay Area in the early 1960s. After a few years, he switched jobs to HP where he finished his career. He’s the one standing in the foreground. So, was the picture taken at SCM or HP? I don’t know but favor SCM because the scopes in the background appear to be Tektronix. Old Tek scopes usually had the CRT in the upper left corner with no controls to the left or top of it, but there were exceptions. Old HP scopes usually had some controls to the left of the CRT. I’m not an expert on vintage scopes, so would like to hear opinions. Of course, it’s possible that HP used Tek scopes in the early days.The hanging white ribbons appear to be printer outputs. Roll on bench appears to be punch tape.Box of Kimwipes in foreground made me laugh. Still available to today in same size box but printing on the box is a little different. Electronics changes but tissue paper doesn’t.Opinions on where the pic was taken?Mike in California

author: PwrElectronics
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2023, 12:51:21 am
content: The scope most visible is 100% a Tektronix 500 series scope and one dating from 1956 or a bit earlier. I have a 1956 type 531 with the square cornered grey case that looks exactly like it. It could also be a 535 or a 541 or 545. Hard to tell from the fuzzy picture.The other scope partially obscured to the left is also most likely a Tektronix and could be a somewhat older model.Looking at these sorts of old photos of labs its the dress code of white shirts and ties, etc that is such a contrast to now. My first full time engineering job in 1992 I had to wear dress pants and tie and it was stifling as prior intern/tech roles at other companies the dress code was more relaxed. I have not had to wear dress pants and tie (especially the tie) since probably 1998.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2023, 12:57:22 am
content: There are a lot of old time HP employees over on the HPAK groups.io forum so you might want to ask there as well.TonyG

author: Martian Tech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2023, 02:20:21 am
content: Went on a tour of an HP facility ca 1975. One of the guys noticed that they had a Tektronix oscilloscope. When asked why, we were told that it had some capabilities that HP scopes didn't. So even if those are Tektronix scopes in that photo, it doesn't rule out HP.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2023, 03:14:01 am
content: Quote from: PwrElectronics on April 14, 2023, 12:51:21 amThat is strange to see these days, I have never in my entire career had to wear any kind of suit, the only time I've ever done it is for an interview and even that has been a long time.The other thing that looks weird is ash trays. I've seen pictures of conference rooms and in old movies too with business workers in suits sitting around a table smoking cigarettes with ash trays full of butts.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 14, 2023, 01:01:19 pm
content: Concerning ash trays,It was a big deal when Cigar smoking was not allowed in certain places, like employee lounge or coffee rooms, Cigarette and Pipe were allowed.Also your father was probably a supervisor type, since he has long shirt sleeves.Neckties were de rigeur, but if you worked in anything associated with machining, they were not allowed for safety reasons.Lots of jobs dictated bow ties, so the tie would not get into the product, like in a bakery, butcher shop, Ice Cream Vendor.... etc....