[Keith Seymore]

From the Tech Center news:

Sixty years ago today, the GM Technical Center was dedicated on May 16 at a remarkable ceremony with 5,000 of the nation's leading figures in science, engineering and education - including President Dwight D. Eisenhower as guest speaker.

The vision of the size and scope of the Tech Center came from two very influential leaders of GM - Alfred P. Sloan Jr. and Harley Earl. In 1956 the Tech Center cost around $100 million - or about half a billion in today's dollars - to develop and was staffed by around 4,000 scientists engineers, designers and other personnel.

Fast forward to today, the Tech Center is now home to more than 19,000 employees who design, develop and build the world's best vehicles. The Tech Center was known in 1956 as one of the largest industrial research centers in the world, and is now a National Historic Landmark for its significance as one of the most important works of modernist architect Eero Saarinen.

In May 1956, The New York Times quoted GM President Harlow H. Curtice as saying "I do not believe I exaggerate when I say that the center is unique with respect to size, scope and the vision behind it. There is not another facility like it in the world."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWMhpp9TTns

Tech Center postcard from my files:

[Keith Seymore]

Some favorites from the Tech Center:







........................

[Held for Ransom]

I think one of my teachers went there in about '81-2 (John P.).

[MikeNoun]

Great pics, Keith! I found a few more on my drive:

[trophy421]

One of the coolest places in the world, in my opinion. Working there would seem like a dream come true.

[The Boss]

That kind of vision and investment in the future is lost in today's corporate world.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by trophy421

One of the coolest places in the world, in my opinion. Working there would seem like a dream come true.

Looks a little like Disney land from the outside looking in.

K

[KenB]

Grew up maybe 1/2 mile as the crow flys from there.
Learned to ice skate on the lake.
First chance to drive a stick shift (barely) on an early Saturday morning there. Crappy '84 Camaro Berlineta with a 5? Speed. And a 4cylnder. Crappy clutch engagement point. But wonderfully flat streets and parking lots.
I don't ever remember touring the Design dome, but I remember the wind tunnel open house when it was new.

And because of this article I learned some family history- I called dad to see if he was there in May, as I knew he stated with GM in '56 (retired there in '93) Nope he said, arrived in June days after graduating from Georgia Tech (MechE.), but he'd ask my mom if she remembered.

What? I knew how they met, and roughly when, but never once really thought about my mom working there before my dad, indeed she started in March '56. And something I never knew, she had been co-oping with Chrysler while in school before GM. But as she said, she was tired of being poor, interviewed with GM, and quit school and went to work full-time.

Of course she didn't recall anything special for the regular employees at that time. The film clips looked like just the VIPs. I sent my folks a link to this thread.

Thanks Keith

Ken

[Stuart]

When I was in college I worked a summer at the IBM facility in Rochester, MN. It was also designed by Saarinen, at about the same time as the tech center (groundbreaking was in 1956, they moved in in 1958.) You can see similarities in the design.

The building looked much the same when I was there, in 1977. I was in the facilities engineering department and was peripherally involved in upkeep and remodeling of the building; the original main lobby unfortunately got a 1970s remodeling while I was there.

[Keith Seymore]

KenB - you are welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed that.

Originally Posted by Stuart

The building looked much the same when I was there, in 1977. I was in the facilities engineering department and was peripherally involved in upkeep and remodeling of the building; the original main lobby unfortunately got a 1970s remodeling while I was there.

Many of the areas and buildings at the Tech Center are now designated historical sites, and cannot be changed. Harley Earl's office (now Ed Welburn's office) is one example, and remains in appearance as it did when Mr Earl ruled from there.

The Design Center lobby also underwent updates a couple decades ago but has since been restored to its original decor, including the distinctive "teacup" receptionist's desk.

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KenB

Grew up maybe 1/2 mile as the crow flys from there.
Learned to ice skate on the lake.
First chance to drive a stick shift (barely) on an early Saturday morning there. Crappy '84 Camaro Berlineta with a 5? Speed. And a 4cylnder. Crappy clutch engagement point. But wonderfully flat streets and parking lots.
I don't ever remember touring the Design dome, but I remember the wind tunnel open house when it was new.

And because of this article I learned some family history- I called dad to see if he was there in May, as I knew he stated with GM in '56 (retired there in '93) Nope he said, arrived in June days after graduating from Georgia Tech (MechE.), but he'd ask my mom if she remembered.

What? I knew how they met, and roughly when, but never once really thought about my mom working there before my dad, indeed she started in March '56. And something I never knew, she had been co-oping with Chrysler while in school before GM. But as she said, she was tired of being poor, interviewed with GM, and quit school and went to work full-time.

Of course she didn't recall anything special for the regular employees at that time. The film clips looked like just the VIPs. I sent my folks a link to this thread.

Thanks Keith

Ken

Just noticed the similarity - my dad also started with GM in 1956, with Chevrolet in Flint (Pressed Metal). He retired after 32 years and is the GM patentholder on several novel inventions (adhesive bonding of aluminum, laminated steel and the hydroform process come to mind).

K

[MikeNoun]

Keith, what building would this be? Are these the main doors for the Pontiac home plant?

Mike

[YNOBIL]

It sure is a great place. So much automotive history came out of there. Thanks for the peek inside.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Keith, what building would this be? Are these the main doors for the Pontiac home plant?

Mike

The left block of the logo looks like it says "Central Foundry".

If that's the case then I would say the foundry portion of the Pontiac complex (Plant 6).

K

[70L34]

Thanks for posting this...I feel fortunate to work there!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 70L34

Thanks for posting this...I feel fortunate to work there!

You are welcome!

Where do you work? My address is shown at AEC with bosses at the VEC, but I actually report to an off property skunk works every day.

K

[Tenney]

Cool, Keith - thanks!

[70L34]

I work in the Cadillac Design Studio. We should meet up!

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

You are welcome!

Where do you work? My address is shown at AEC with bosses at the VEC, but I actually report to an off property skunk works every day.

K

[Verdoro 68]

Such an iconic piece of architecture where equally iconic things were created. I hope I have the opportunity to visit someday.

[aukc]

recently found this commemorative magazine from the 35th anniversary