Skip to main content

Radiation, Inc. Small Collections

 Collection
Identifier: SC-RAD010

Scope and Contents

These documents, publications, photos, and 3-dimensional objects provide insight to the administrative, financial, and social aspects of Radiation, Inc. and Brevard County, FL, from c.1950-1970. Many of the photographs were taken on-site at the locations of Radiation’s overseas projects during installation, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Guam, and Asmara (Eritrea). Some items included may have been collected from other sources as reference materials (such as memos, correspondence, and personal artifacts). This collection also includes reflective historical materials from c.1995-2018 regarding Radiation, Inc.’s prime years (1953-1967), largely collected from Radiation “Old Timer” reunions. Some publications included may be reproductions or copies of originals.

Dates

  • c.1950-2016

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Some records in this collection may be subject to access restrictions. Some are restricted for privacy concerns and institutional policy. Please contact the repository for further information.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright of these materials is held by Florida Tech and others. It is the responsibility of the user to determine and satisfy copyright. Users must seek written permission from both the Harry P. Weber University Archives & Special Collections and the original copyright holder regarding use of the material and to distribute, publish, post, or display in any way either in print or electronically.

Biographical / Historical

The spirit of community was a major characteristic defining the early days of Radiation, Inc., and camaraderie persisted throughout the merger with Harris Corp in 1967 and eventual discontinuation of Radiation branding. Starting in 1996, “Radiation Old Timers” began holding reunions to celebrate their shared memories. Some collections were donated by families of Radiation “Old Timers” in the spirit of collaboration and community so characteristic of the Radiation, Inc. era.

Radiation, Inc. was founded by Homer Denius and George Shaw in 1950. The company was first located in an old Naval building at the Melbourne Airport. Facilities were later added in Palm Bay, FL and Orlando, FL, as well as expansions throughout Melbourne, FL. When Radiation, Inc. merged with Harris-Intertype in 1967, the company had over 3,000 employees.

Radiation, Inc. focused on developing PCM telemetry systems, digital data communications systems, and tracking antennas. They were contracted by entities such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Radio Corporation of America (RCA), General Electric, and General Motors. Additionally, the company presented their research and products at many conferences and expositions, such as the National Symposium on Telemetering, National Telecommunications Conference, and Space Congress.

Extent

2.51 Cubic Feet (7 boxes total) : (2) Narrow document boxes, (4) wide document boxes, (1) Oversize document case

4.97 Gigabytes (4 discs)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection includes textual and photographic materials, three-dimensional objects, and digital and analog audio/visual media collected by various employees throughout their time working with Radiation, Inc. The materials cover topics such as the early space race and engineering developments of the 1960s and 1970s, as well as administration of the company and early development of surrounding community of Brevard County.

Arrangement

The materials included in Small Collections have been donated by a variety of employees or their descendants. This collection is expected to have continuous accruals; as such, the series are arranged by employee surname. When made possible by future donations, existing series may be expanded and into stand-alone collections. It is recommended to continue adding Series according to surname—this may be done at any time, although annual accruals would make logical delineations (e.g., 2019 accessions alphabetically, followed by 2020 accessions alphabetically).

Related Materials

Similar materials may also be held in other collections within the Radiation, Inc. Archives:

Title
Collection Guide of the Radiation, Inc. Small Collections
Status
In Progress
Author
C. DeSimone
Date
Dec. 2019
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English
  • Johnson, John, and A. B. Amis. Radiation, Inc.: An Anthology of Defining Stories.
  • Perkins, Frank. High Tech Among the Palmettos: The Story of Radiation, Inc. and How It Changed the Face of South Brevard County.
  • Tambini, Anthony J. Wiring Vietnam: the Electronic Wall.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
307 Evans Library
Florida Institute of Technology
150 West University Blvd.
Melbourne FL 32901-6975 USA
(321) 674-8571
(321) 724-2559 (Fax)