The following essays have been previously published in the Springfield Reporter under the title “Machine Tool Journal”. They represent my experiences in the local machine tool industry. Even though the writings pertain mainly to J&L,  my hope is that people from the other shops will do the same (we all have stories to tell).   My plans are to publish a new essay every week. Comments are encouraged.

Just out of college, I arrived in Springfield on May 17th,1965. I had been offered a job at Jones and Lamson Machine Company. My schooling was in mechanical engineering, and I was eager to “learn the trade”.There were several of us hired from Vermont Technical College, both mechanical and electrical majors. The pay was $90 a week, a good amount for the time. The pay was slightly less than the $100 a week offered by IBM in Essex Junction. My more studious classmates got those offers.

My first real job…..I was an excited (and nervous) young man, not quite 20 years old. My instructions were to report to the plant first aid office, where I would undergo a physical examination. All new hires had to be cleared by the company doctor, before the hiring process was complete. Doctor Carpenter was the company doctor, and his assistant was a nurse named Betty Butterfly (really!!). Everything went well, my only concern was the doctors hands— they were quite misshapened. Only later did I find out that the doctor had been involved with early x-ray technology, before the side effects of overexposure were known.

The company had found a place for me to stay, at least until I could aquaint myself with the area. I had a room with a Mrs. Whitcomb, on Whitcomb street. She was either a widow, or perhaps never married. I never really knew. But I soon found a more suitable place on Wall Street. But it was still just a room, without any kitchen, or way to cook meals. Eating out was expensive, and in an unfamiliar town it was not much fun.  I did not know anyone except my college classmates. So it only made sense to team up and get an apartment together, first in Cavendish, then back on Wall Street.

My hometown was in the Southwestern part of the state. In the beginning I would drive home every Friday night, and return either Sunday night or early Monday morning. There were several reasons for this. I could socialize with my high school buddies on the weekend, and mother could do my laundry (!!). This procedure would continue until I became more familiar with the Springfield area, and had formed friendships here. The drive over Bromley Mountain was exciting at times in the winter, especially when I waited until Monday morning to return. When I did return on Monday, I went right to work, not having time to go to the apartment. I still had my 1954 Mercury from college, and it served me well. Now that I had a good paying job, it was time to go car hunting……….