Mr. Halpern Farewell Photo Album #1

When Mr. Halpern retired in 1981, Gregory von Gruenberg made a photo album for Mr. Halpern.     Annelise von Gruenberg, his wife kept his original photos and a photo album.        Here is the copy of his color prints.     We were all very young then!      Thanks Annelise for sharing.     For copies of positive slides see HERE.

And thank you very much who helped identify those in the pictures Marge McGill in particular, who combed the old Polyworld to find who's who.      There are several we could not identify especially those in production.    If you can identify them please let me know.     Thanks

Ralph Kaset        Freddy on C machine

Amiela Semedo        Rich Cohen

Helene MCoy    Willie Boshardt ?

Seth Cross    Annelise von Gruengerg

Stanley Pupczyk   and ????

Willes Ellis    Roslyn Lagne

Pat Walsh      Gregorio Lopez

Bill Saltzman and ????

Mary Moro      Jim Shelnut

Drupa '95

Drupa 95 was a significant milestone for Polychrome.       The race towards CTP technology domination was going on,  Agfa with their photopolymer plate and DuPont/Howson Algraphy with their Silverlith; both an extension and application of their existing technology.      Our answer was CTX.         We worked closely with Linotype Hell to qualify CTX on their Gutenberg system.      Through the work with them we determined that CTX gave better performance over photopolymer or silver system.     We also worked closely with other major CTP manufactures to qualify CTX on their machines.    At the show we had all three major CTP equipments, Linotype, Gerber and Creo running CTX live.      During the morning technical briefing breakfast session, one speaker suggested to visit Polychrome booth to see all the CTP system.        We also had a prototype of Inkjet Plate Making system IJP 1000.      
Please look for Bob Hallman and Thomas Bittner giving personal briefing at the close of the first day of Drupa to give all the Polychrome staff the benefit of CTX over photopolymer and silver system.
(Not all the Polychrome staff were convinced that CTX was a superior  alternative.)
Later both Bob and Tohmas took their message to major companies  and helped change the image of Polychrome from a scrappy small company to a leading company in the graphic arts world.      The road to new CTP system continued to the development of thermal system later.)

Mr. Halpern as an inventor

I knew Mr. Halpern started his business in mimeograph printing ink.       I did not know him to be an inventor but a search in internet showed he had a patent on a heated stylus  for a heat sensitive master in 1946.          Knowing a bit of stencil technology, this was a revelation.       Many of the readers probably know that in the 70's and 80's there were  electronic stencil master making machines using a heat sensitive master.      I remember Mr. Halpern was interested in getting into the business of making such master at Polychrome but we at R&D failed to find an alternative route to make such master.   So he arranged to buy a master roll from other manufacturer (Litton Industry? who owned a patent?).     If we went back to 1946 there may have been such stencil master composition described already for the public.        On the other hand the stencil business eventually died out in favor of offset and electrostatic copying process so we were not wrong in focusing our efforts on developing offset technology.
So now we know Mr. Halpern was not only a businessman but also was an inventor.     (Yes he always had ideas on many  many things!)

Here is his US Patent  2474312

Merry Christmas Polychrome.... by John North

Merry Christmas Polychrome.

We did some amazing things together.

We took on the giants of the graphic arts world. 

We worked together and produced an ever evolving, improving, product line. 

We delivered it through an extremely dedicated team.

For a few glorious years, we could not beaten. 

I am proud to have payed my part in the development of our products.

The level of cooperation I enjoyed with each of you brought about many personal successes.

Thank you all for the wonderful memories and experiences that I enjoyed at Polycrome.

Sadly, it did not last forever.

I wish we could do it all again.

Best wishes,

John North

Mimi Levy at 90 plus

Mimi was waiting for us smiling when Marge McGill and I visited her recently at her senior living in Rye, New York.          She looked just as I remembered her years ago and told us her Polychrome story...  how she was interviewed by John Randolph and Seth Cross, how she was involved in the Polyworld and after working very hard to choreograph the 1986 Drupa show why she was asked not to go to Drupa. (one of the dancer's husband wanted to go and so she was bumped!)    She enjoyed seeing the pictures from Mr. Halpern's picture book and she was thrilled to watch the 86' Drupa video.      
Surrounded by numerous memorabilia  she collected during her many overseas trips, she is enjoying her retirement days.

Mimi and Marge

Stovac of India

India is considered to become the next economic engine for the world as world is looking to duplicate the success of China.          Polychrome had a very early exposure to the Indian market through licensing of PS technology there.        Technova at that time was the only major PS plate manufacture there under license from Agfa.       Like 2FF licensing, we could have had long term mutually profitable relationship.           But the license term came to an end after the formation of Kodak Polychrome.        

The Stovac of India, in the business of manufacturing  an electroplating system for rotary screen printing rollers and equipments for the textile industry, approached Polychrome in around 1991-92 for a license to build PS plate manufacturing plant in India.      Mr. Baghattis, the principal, indicated that the Indian tariffs are too high to import equipment and would like to build entirely by themselves under our licensing. 
They were in the business of building rotary screen rollers using electroplating technology and familiar with equipment for textile industry.        In 1992 Simon enlisted Mr. Tanimoto of DIC and Durmech of England to assess Stovac capabilities and the site for the PS plant.       During 1992-93 period, Roman Mrzyglocki, Jennifer Lin and Durmech corroborated to come up with a design for Stovac.      Roman continued to support the project supervising construction till completion around 1995.   This was followed up by commissioning / training/ support by Jenchi Huang, and Phil Yamin.
Simon continued to champion for the closer relation with the licensees.     But after the termination (or lapse) of the licensing agreement, the Stovac was acquired by Technova and now Technova appears to own the Indian market.

Viktor Tkaczenko's story

Here is the recent article  appeared in The Record and Star Ledger Newspapers on Veterans Day.   As an active member of the Army Air Force Historical Association,Viktor was asked to represent the veterans as a Key Note Speaker at the Aviation Hall of Fame at the Teterboro Airport.       You may already know the background of Viktor, his upbringing, his family's life in Germany, move to US, service in the army and then successful career at Polychrome, etc. but here is the full story told by himself.     Read all HERE

Mr. Kobayashi, Mr. Ohnishi and Simon Chu

These two rare pictures are from 1978 showing the founder of Fuji Photo Film Mr. Kobayashi and his successor Mr. Ohnishi with Simon Chu.          Simon took a small delegation of technical staff to Fuji Yoshida factory every other year for technical exchange.       They have often extended hospitality to invite Simon for a round of golf which was the most popular form of entertainment then.            The round usually included top executives of Fuji at their private club and thus was an excellent venue to get to know each other well.       Mr. Kobayashi played a pivotal role later in getting two companies continue licensing relationship for the second term which was unusual for Fuji.        While everyone at Fuji was busy trying to go separate way, it was Mr. Kobayashi who showed leadership to ensure stability for both companies a while longer.

Mr. Kobayash and Simon Chu

Mr. Ohnishi in the foreground, Ken S on the right

Polyworld Vol. 8, number 2. Fall 1989

This is also from Kay Fenyo.       There is more than a year blank between Vol.8 number 1 (spring  1988) and Vol 8. number 2 (Fall 1989)     Not sure what happened in between but here is another Polyworld announcing the plan to build a plant in Columbus , Georgia and Vistar series plate.   There is a detailed history of Polychrome on pages 14 and 15 with picture from 1960.

Polyline Vol 3, no.4 August, 1974

Again thanks to Kay Fenyo here is the copy of  the Polyline Aug. 1974     See details HERE.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9ukSP58gv17eVB2Y2lRb1Npa3c/edit?usp=drive_web

Polychrome Calendar 1987

At the reunion someone (shall be nameless to protect his identity!) handed me a vintage Polychrome Calendar of year 1987 with girlie content.  (you can see from the cover photo)       The industry and the era were such that such calendar apparently was welcomed.       Not sure whether it will be accepted by our client and business leaders of today.         On the other hand those printers who printed Playboy and Hustler in Wisconsin were our customers.         (Jerry Carey then manager of Wisconsin office invited me to visit these accounts but never had opportunity to do so.   Oh Well!)      If you are over 18 and is interested in checking out the "printing quality" please see all the twelve month  JAN, FEB MAR APR MAY, JUN, JUL, AUG,  SEP, OCT, NOV. DEC

    

Reunion in midwest

Al Douglas sent me the  pictures from the reunion Manny Roth told me earlier.     Al reports "The following were present.  Manny Roth, John Williams, Joe Peihl, Fred Marocchi, John Rapp, Al Douglas and Paul Holmquist."    Thanks Al!

Polyline vol.3 no. 2 February, 1974

Before the Polyworld there were Polyline.       Thanks to Kay Fenyo we now have this in house publication from 1974.     Read the details HERE.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9ukSP58gv17MElMUS1XSFR3WG8/edit?usp=drive_web

Annual Report 1987

This is another contribution from Ray Baer.   (Thanks Ray!)   Until additional  new issue surfaces this 1987 may be the last year Polychrome published Annual report.        The company had $276 m sales and almost doubled the output since the purchase by DIC in 1979.      Read the year by year financial comparison HERE.

More pictures from the reunion

Jenchi Huang sent in more pictures from the reunion.       Thank you Jenchi!

Polychrome Promotional Film outtake 1968

Leonard Kinsky was a cousin of Mr. Halpern and was a Hollywood actor.      He was commissioned to produce a promotional film for Polychrome.      Viktor Tkaczenko kept some of the outtakes made into a short film.            This is the "sanitized" version; the original had a lot of nudity and in 1968 it was probably considered inappropriate for public showing.      The sanitized version, nevertheless, is interesting in seeing young executives of Polychrome along with Mr. Halpern.

Polychrome Memorabilia from Ron Muzillo

At the reunion luncheon, Ron Muzillo handed me these various and difficult to find memorabilia.     Thank you Ron.

The gold watch (famous Josten brand!) was for 25 years service.      By the time I reached 25 years, there were other selections; so I did not get this watch.        Square box is a Polychrome "brand" tape measure given out at various shows.          The square ring is a replica of a superbowl ring and was given out to a million dollar club in 1985.      Round ring was the 1991 Presidents club ring and there were 30-40 members then selling more than 1 million $ yearly.         The rectangular pin has one diamond and two rubies signifying it is for the service award.        My recollection was one ruby for 2 years, 2 rubies for 5 years , 3 rubies for 10 years, one diamond and two rubies for 15 years,etc.so this appears to be for the 15 years service pin.

Almuni Reunion Luncheon Sept. 28, 2013 Video

We had 35 almuni gathered in Briar's restaurant in Briarcliff Manor, NY on September 28th. 2013 some flew in from California (Bendars) and drove up all the way from Carolina ( Ed. W.).    Here is the video taken during the short updates by everyone.       Regrettably due to the error in pushing wrong button, some of the attendants lost their turn to appear in the video..... sorry!      

Polychrome Almuni Reunion Sept. 28, 2013

Another successful get together of long lost friends!   (your face looks familiar but what is your name?) Thank you very much for traveling all the way from West Coast, Carolina, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, upstate New York, etc.     Recurring comments have been that Polychrome was "family like"," best of all", "fun" . "hard working" company.     Again this year, we 

failed to take a group picture but here are some snapshots of the gathering.