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September 1957 Popular Electronics
 Table of Contents
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles
from
Popular Electronics,
published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.
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This story reads like an
infomercial for IBM, which it just might be. Infomercials were still a little
used marketing scheme in 1957 when this piece appeared in Popular
Electronics magazine, so IBM was ahead of its time. The answer to the
article's title, "How Far Can You Go in Electronics Without a Degree?" was the
same 66 years ago as it is
today: As far as your intellect and ambition will take you. Back then, as with today,
few people could rise to the level of design engineer without a college degree.
However, there are many aspects of electronics that require no formal education
at all if you possess the requisite skills - with or without the title of
engineer. However, I disagree with the feel-good
line that "you can be anything you want to be." Some people simply
cannot achieve the mastery necessary to do a particular job, regardless of how
hard they try.
How Far Can You Go in Electronics Without a Degree?
Bill Miles talks frankly about the technician's, biggest problem
 Two years ago, degreeless Bill Miles had
reached a blind alley in his career. Yet today, with IBM, he's actually supervising
engineers in America's biggest electronics project. Here's how this technician broke
through the "education barrier."
"Training and local assignments," recalls Bill Miles, "were what caught my eye
when I saw an IBM ad in 1955. So I investigated. Now here I am with an advanced
electronics education under my belt - and responsibility as a Group Supervisor in
Project SAGE. I work on the world's largest and most advanced computer. I live in
my home town. And my future in the company is what I make it. Yet only 2 years ago,
I thought I'd gone as far as a technician ever could!"
Becomes Radar Technician. Bill's background is typical of thousands
of capable, ambitious technicians who never acquired a formal engineering degree.
His interest in electronics, aroused in Camden, New Jersey, high school, was nourished
by a 3-year stint as Aviation Radar Technician in the Navy's "Black Cat" air-sea
rescue squadron.
Bill gets electronic computer education at IBM Kingston.
Miles does diagnostic programming on the Operating Console of
the SAGE Computer.
Miles nails down problem with Site Manager R. Schimmel.
"Student" Bill Miles diagrams computer circuit.
Discharged in 1946, Bill married a girl he'd known in high school. During the
next 9 years, Bill was teacher in a radio-TV institute, TV service man, TV company
technician, and chief supervisory TV technician. All the while he pursued an engineering
education at night. But growing family responsibilities made it more and more difficult.
Finds Doors Barred. However, feeling he was equipped for greater
responsibility, Bill, now 30, investigated several companies but found that, while
they liked his abilities, his lack of degree barred the door to significant advancement.
Enters IBM School. In May 1955, when he moved his family to
Kingston, New York, and started at IBM, Bill wasn't quite sure what to expect. The
8-month training course - valued at many thousands of dollars per man - had been
the big magnet for him.
"Sixty of us started school at IBM, attending class 8 hours a day. The course
consisted of about 20 subjects, mostly dealing with computer circuits and units,
and maintenance techniques. The teaching was adult, superb. During training, we
received a living expense allowance, over and above salary. We kept our own grades,
and every 6 weeks when we reviewed them with the instructors, they asked us for
ways to improve the course.
I expected a casual 'hello' when I met the Division Manager of Education, but
he talked to me for an hour about myself and my interests. IBM has real concern
for you as an individual, both before and after they hire you."
Joins Home-Town Computer Site. Bill had joined IBM as a Field
Systems Engineer. After graduation, Bill was assigned to a computer site near his
home in Mt. Holly, New Jersey, with IBM paying his moving expenses. For the first
two months he helped install the SAGE computer, an important link in America's air
defense. Ultimately, such computers will ring America's entire air defense perimeter.
World's Largest Computer. "The computer is probably the largest
one in the world, with over a million components. Flattened out, it would probably
fill a ball field. The computer analyzes radar data on every object in the sky.
Then it checks each object against available traffic information and identifies
it as either friendly or hostile. It can make suggestions, but it can't send a Nike
missile against what it thinks is a 'baddie.' Only airmen can make that decision."
Supervises Fifteen. Recently promoted to Group Supervisor, Bill
now directs an entire shift of 15 men, reporting to a Group Manager. His job: to
maintain the computer in combat readiness. "I have to be familiar with the entire
system. I rely on two types of specialists to help me: computer units men who are
specialists in certain areas; systems engineers for the over-all computer."
But the question remains: Is Bill really an engineer?
"No, I certainly don't consider myself a 'professional' engineer, qualified to
design machines, for instance. But the point is, I'm doing work ordinarily done
by engineers ... work usually denied to men without a degree."
IBM Upgrades Technicians. Could he do this elsewhere? "Of all
the companies I know, IBM appears to be one of the few upgrading the technician
to the level of engineering responsibility. Fortunately for me, IBM had the imagination
to get men without degrees and encourage them to rise in responsibility and income
to the level of their native talents ... not what their formal education dictates."
 Since Bill Miles joined IBM, opportunities in
the Project SAGE program, destined for long-range national importance, have grown
more promising than ever. If IBM considers your experience equivalent to an E.E.,
M.E. or Physics degree, you'll receive 8 months' training, as a Computer Systems
Engineer. If you have 2 years' technical school-ing or the equivalent experience,
you'll receive 6 months' training, as a Computer Units Field Engineer, with opportunity
to assume full engineering responsibility. Assignment in area of your choice. Every
channel of advancement in entire company open - and IBM is leader in a field that's
skyrocketing in growth. All the customary benefits and more. Write to Mr. N. H.
Heyer, Room No. 12609, IBM, Kingston, New York.
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Infomercial
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Societal Influences
- See Full List of AI Topics -
Infomercials, also known as
direct response commercials, have a history that dates back to the 1940s. The first
infomercial was aired in 1949, and it was a 30-minute program that promoted a Vitamix
blender. The program was created by William Bernbach, who later became a legend
in the advertising industry.
In the 1950s and 1960s, infomercials became more common, with many companies
using them to sell products such as vacuum cleaners, cooking appliances, and exercise
equipment. These early infomercials were often cheesy and low-budget, but they were
effective at reaching a large audience.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the popularity of infomercials increased even further.
The advent of cable TV and the deregulation of the television industry in the United
States made it easier for companies to buy airtime and reach a nationwide audience.
During this time, infomercials became more polished and professional, with higher
production values and more sophisticated marketing techniques.
One of the most successful infomercials of all time was for the George Foreman
Grill, which first aired in 1995. The infomercial was created by a company called
Tristar Products, and it featured former heavyweight champion George Foreman promoting
a new type of indoor grill. The infomercial was a massive success, and it helped
to make the George Foreman Grill one of the best-selling kitchen appliances of all
time.
Today, infomercials continue to be a popular marketing tool, although they have
evolved to keep up with the changing media landscape. With the rise of social media
and online video platforms, companies can now create and distribute infomercials
more easily than ever before. Despite the changes, the basic formula of the infomercial
- a long-form commercial that provides detailed information about a product or service
- remains the same.
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Thank you. Here are the major categories.
Electronics & High Tech
Companies | Electronics &
Tech Publications | Electronics &
Tech Pioneers | Electronics &
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Groups & Industry Associations |
Societal Influences on Technology
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Posted April 28, 2023
(updated from original post
on 4/3/2012)
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