Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company, Airplane Gun Turret Plant Dedication Invitation
Scope and Contents
The collection contains one invitation and accompanying envelope to the dedication of the Airplane Gun Turret Plant built by the Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company on September 7, 1942. The ceremony included the unveiling of a portrait of Capt. Colin P. Kelly, Jr. The invitation includes an engraving of Kelly’s portrait and a tribute to the war hero written by Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold.
Dates
- 1942
Creator
- Emerson Electric (Firm) (1890-) (Author, Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Historical Sketch
The Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company, founded in 1890, had plans to build another manufacturing facility at its 162-acre site in Florissant, Missouri, when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. The company quickly converted from electric fan and motor production to war production. Once its new factory was completed at 8100 Florissant Avenue, it became the nation’s largest producer of airplane gun turrets during World War II. By 1944, women comprised 40% of the workforce and the company completed 2200 turrets per month for B-17, B-24, and B-26 bombers. By 1945, production slowed as the Allied war effort progressed and lay-offs at the plant began. Most of the factory was demolished in 1995.
The plant was dedicated to the memory of Captain Colin P. Kelly, Jr., who was the first B-17 pilot to perish in combat. He became a hero when he ordered his crew to bail out shortly before their bomber exploded, killing him.
Extent
0.03 Cubic Feet ( (1 folder))
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is comprised of one item.
Physical and Technical Requirements
There are no physical or technical restrictions.
Donor Information
The collection was donated by Thomas Bardon in 2018 (accession number 2018-001).
Processing Information
Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2020.
Creator
- Emerson Electric (Firm) (1890-) (Author, Organization)
- Title
- Inventory of Emerson Electric Manufacturing Company, Airplane Gun Turret Plant Dedication Invitation
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
- Date
- 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository