<VV> Work uniforms, was: Communiqué

[BBRT]

Likewise at the Navy Laboratory I worked at begnning in early 70's, all 
engineers and managers normally wore ties, unless on a field trip or doing 
tests involving getting dirty were involved (vibration testing, air gun, 
wind tunnel, pressure testing, ordnance/explosive testing). Normal lab 
testing and bench work - engineers wore ties and the techs, some did and 
some didn't. Now, managers generally wear them, esp for meetings or "going 
downtown". Summer interns dress like slobs/bums, almost embarrasing. Takes a 
while until they realize they ought to be clean and neat... :>) (Notice I 
didn't say, "dressed up".)

Chuck S
BBRT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Keillor" <dkeillor at tconcepts.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 2:34 PM
Subject: Re: <VV> Work uniforms, was: Communiqué


When I started work at IBM (as an engineer) back in 1963, the "uniform" for 
professionals and customer engineers (service people) was white shirt and 
tie (conservative).  The story behind including the service people in this 
uniform requirement is that one day, T.J. Watson, Senior was visiting a 
customer account and riding up in the elevator with a customer executive. 
Two somewhat scruffy looking guys got on the elevator, and when they got 
off, Mr. Watson made a remark to the customer executive about their 
appearance.  To which the exec replied, "Those are your customer engineers, 
Mr. Watson."

So, a dress code ensued that was modeled on the image of a conservative 
banker.  There was, however, a side benefit to the white shirt -- when they 
got dirty from working on a piece of unit record equipment, you could bleach 
the heck of them.

On the professional side, a white shirt and tie had long been the uniform of 
all companies.  I suspect those in the pictures were managers, 
professionals, or technicians.

Dave Keillor

-----Original Message-----
From: virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org 
[mailto:virtualvairs-bounces at corvair.org] On Behalf Of airvair at earthlink.net
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 1:11 PM
To: shortle; Rob Landers; Sethracer at aol.com; tony.underwood at cox.net; 
virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Work uniforms, was: <VV> Communiqué

I'd say that the tie was the uniform of ALL working men back then, not just
in the Corvair factories (required Corvair content). More a matter of a
generational thing. My dad used to NEVER take off his tie or shoes, even
around the house, which is how ingrained the "business suit as a uniform"
thing was to that generation. Did get him to ditch the tie, finally after
many years of retirement, but the only time he'd take off his shoes was
either to take a shower or go to bed. We buried him without shoes. (G)

-Mark


> [Original Message]
> Subject: Re: <VV> Communiqué
>
> Did all the GM employees wear ties when working on Corvairs? Was that the
GM uniform requirements of the day? Anyone?
Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado
Getting ready to go to Jacksonville next week


 _______________________________________________
This message was sent by the VirtualVairs mailing list, all copyrights are 
the property
of the writer, please attribute properly. For help, 
mailto:vv-help at corvair.org
This list sponsored by the Corvair Society of America, 
http://www.corvair.org/
Post messages to: VirtualVairs at corvair.org
Change your options: http://www.vv.corvair.org/mailman/options/virtualvairs
 _______________________________________________


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.13.3/2217 - Release Date: 07/03/09 
18:11:00