AcuRite 80th Anniversary: World War II Efforts Prove Vital for Chaney Instrument Co.
As we continue to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Chaney Instrument Co. and AcuRite, we are releasing monthly stories (find them here!) that give readers a look into our company’s past. From the role of women at Chaney to a look at our products through the decades, you’re bound to learn something new!
This month, we’re going back to the very beginning to explore the mutually beneficial connection between the Chaney Instrument Co. and the U.S armed forces during WWII.
Expert-Level Glass Tinkering Leads to WWII Involvement
During WWII, U.S. armed forces were facing some unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. Some bombs, after being loaded into Army planes, were detonating too early. The cause of these premature detonations was impurities and inconsistencies in the bombs’ glass components. Luckily for the U.S. forces, leaders got word of an expert glassmaker in the Midwest named John L. Chaney.
Chaney was willing to help but needed funding and a space to research the impurity issue. With assets from the U.S. armed forces, Chaney worked out a deal with the City of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, which was looking to add more manufacturing positions. Lake Geneva leaders saw this as an excellent opportunity to create jobs for Lake Geneva citizens and decided the city garage would be a fitting place for Chaney and his team to set up shop.
In June 1943, he hired his two brothers and a handful of local Lake Geneva women to investigate the problematic glass impurities. They determined that rapid temperature and pressure changes caused the issue of the glass components detonating early. Using Chaney’s automated tube sealing machine, the Chaney team started producing high-quality glass ampules and sold these components to the U.S. armed forces.
Diverse Workforce with Additional U.S. Wartime Tools
With many American men called to serve, women led the way on the home front in many aspects — with Chaney Instrument Co. being no exception. In addition to overseeing the creation of properly made glass ampules for explosives, women employees at Chaney Instrument Co. also produced leveling tools named clinometers for U.S. Navy ships. These curved glass tubes held an internal glass ball which indicated the exact degree of the ship’s angle.
The U.S. armed forces’ necessity for the glass ampules and clinometers was so high that Chaney needed more workers to meet their demand. With men overseas and many women already working, Chaney spoke to Lake Geneva High School’s superintendent to hopefully strike an agreement. After speaking, the superintendent agreed to let students leave school for a few hours each day and work with Chaney and his team. In return, the students would receive school credits for helping the company meet its quota!
Award-Winning Team in Lake Geneva
Because of their meticulously clean working environment, extreme dedication, and output level, Chaney Instrument Co. was awarded the Army-Navy “E” award. This award — only given to 5% of more than 85,000 companies that produced materials to help U.S. forces — signified “excellence in production” and made a large splash in the local community.
An award ceremony was held at the high school auditorium, which saw part-time-turned-full-time employee Hazel Gaskell accept the “E” award on behalf of her colleagues — 130 of which were women. An Army-Navy “E” banner was proudly received and raised outside Chaney Instrument Co.’s main entrance, and each employee received a pin and newspaper to signify their award.
After the war ended, many women remained on the Chaney Instrument Co. payroll. The employees shifted their priorities from overseeing glass ampule production to creating household products like glass tube thermometers under the AcuRite name.
Thank you, Lake Geneva and U.S. Armed Forces
As we reflect on 80 years in business, we’d be remiss not to recognize the immense impact that the U.S. War Department and the city of Lake Geneva had on Chaney Instrument Co. Without the need for quality made glass components, and without the dedication of the women-led workforce, you may not be able to enjoy your AcuRite weather stations and other AcuRite products today!
So, to the early employees of Chaney Instrument Co., who expertly aided the U.S. wartime efforts and got this company off the ground, we salute you! We also salute the many U.S. men and women who have served our country, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thank you, Lake Geneva and U.S. Armed Forces
As we reflect on 80 years in business, we’d be remiss not to recognize the immense impact that the U.S. War Department and the city of Lake Geneva had on Chaney Instrument Co. Without the need for quality made glass components, and without the dedication of the women-led workforce, you may not be able to enjoy your AcuRite weather stations and other AcuRite products today!
So, to the early employees of Chaney Instrument Co., who expertly aided the U.S. wartime efforts and got this company off the ground, we salute you! We also salute the many U.S. men and women who have served our country, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice.
