Bombsights and Adding Machines
Translating Wartime Technology Into Peacetime Sales
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20359608 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Michael Tremblay (0000-0003-1630-6381, The University of Victoria, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2010 |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 168-175 |
| Publication date | 2010-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Bulletin of Science Technology & Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0270-4676 • E-ISSN: 1552-4183 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/0270467610371713 |
| OpenAlex | W2094874372 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 3 |
On 10 February 1947, A.C. Buehler, the president of the Victor Adding Machine Company presented Norden Bombsight #4120 to the Smithsonian Institute. This sight was in service on board the Enola Gay when it dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Through this public presentation, Buehler forever linked his company to the Norden Bombsight, the Enola Gay, and to history. Buehler’s ultimate goal, however, was the sale of adding machines, and while significant, the presentation to the Smithsonian was essentially the final step in a long running advertising campaign designed to sell adding machines. During the War, Victor was the Army’s main contractor for the production of Norden Bombsights. This work is an investigation into the dysfunctional relationship that existed between Victor Adding Machine Company, the Army, the Navy Bureau of Ordinance (BuOrd). Wartime shortages demanded that pre-war arrangements between the Army and BuOrd be reconsidered and it was agreed that the Army be allowed to build its own units. Within a year of production Victor sights were scrutinized for their inaccuracies, and ultimately Victor’s contract was cancelled ending the Army’s short sojourn into bombsight production
Economics · Management · Navy · Peacetime · Political science · Victory · Art History and Market Analysis · Engineering · History of Computing Technologies · Law · Military History and Strategy
| Highly cited | No |
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