Aluminum Bulletin, Massena Alcoan, Massena Memo, Aluminews
1886 Charles Martin Hall discovered the economical process for producing aluminum from alumina. [AB 5-1920] 1888 The Pittsburgh Reduction Company was formed. [AB 5-1920] 1889 Charles Martin Hall’s process was patented. [AB 5-1920] 1896 St. Lawrence River Power Company incorporated. [MA 1-21-1946] 1897 St. Lawrence River Power Company surveyed and acquired right of way for power canal. [MA 1-21-1946] Lehigh Construction Company began construction of power canal and was unable to complete. [MA 1-21-1946] Westinghouse Co. Received contract for electric generators. [MA 7 8 1963] 1898 Two miles of railroad track were built to serve the construction of the power canal and power house. [MA 6-10-1946] Work stopped by Lehigh Construction Co. On power canal. T. A. Gillespie Co. takes over work on power canal. [MA 7 8 1963] 1899 American businessmen, including a member of the Pittsburgh Reduction Co., visit the power canal. [MA 7 8 1963] 1900 Power house construction completed, forming the largest concrete structure in the world. [MA 1-21-1946] 1901 1902 Pittsburgh Reduction Company located in Massena. [MA 1-21-1946] Pittsburgh Reduction Company contracted for power from the St. Lawrence River Power Company. [MA 5-13-1946] Plant construction began on Buildings 8, 10 and 12. [MA 5-13-1946] St. Lawrence River Power Co. formed by reoganization. [MA 2-1960] 1903 T. A. Gillespie Company completed construction of gate house and retaining walls. First power was produced at power house. [MA 1-21-1946] The Pine Grove Realty Company was started. [MA 1-21-1946] It purchased 70 acres from the St. Lawrence Power Company and built about 27 houses in the Grove on Bishop and Cornell Aves. [AB 5-1-1918] The first aluminum was produced by the Pittsburgh Reduction Company. The first carbon plant furnace was constructed. [MA 5-13-1946] Building 1, fabricating mill for bare conductor, constructed. [MA 5 6 1962] Building 12 contained the only potroom. [MA 11-1959] 1904 Pile bridge constructed to replace pontoon bridge. [MA 1-21-1946] The wire and cable mill began the first fabricating operations at Massena. [MA 3-1947] Buildings 4 and 5 constructed to house the carpenter and reel shops. [MA 10-1948] Carbon Plant started in parts of Buildings 8, 10, 12 and 15. [AB 9-1920] A record low of -52°F was recorded at the power house. [MM 1-22-1988] 1905 Transmission line built to carry electricity to Raymondville and Norfolk. [MA 1-21-1946] Massena Works received its first million pound cable order for 116 miles of all aluminum cable. [MA 1-1948] Building 14 contained 3 potlines. [MA 11-1959] 1906 The Pittsburgh Reduction Company bought the St. Lawrence River Power Company. [MA 1-21-1946] Dredging of the power canal took place. [MA 1-21-1946] Second potroom added at Massena. [MA 7 8 1963] 1907 Kreusler Apartments (107) erected; [MA 1-21-1946] they were constructed in the Grove on Woodlawn, Sycamore and Bishop. [AB 5-1-1918] Lift span highway bridge replaced pile bridge. [MA 1-21-1946] Ore storage tanks built. [MA 7 8 1963] The Pittsburgh Reduction Company was renamed Aluminum Company of America. [MA 9 10 1963] 1908 1909 1910 Mrs. James Rickey, wife of chief hydraulic engineer at Massena, coined name “Alcoa”. [MA 9-1957] 1911 Physical Testing Laboratory started. [MA 6-1969] 1912 1913 Many buildings constructed in three years, including potrooms, Buildings 16, 18, 22, 26, 28, 32, 36, 38, clockhouse no. 3. [MA 7 8 1963] 1914 Grasse River dredged. [MA 1-21-1946] 1915 First rotary converters installed, forming the largest substation in the world. [MA 4-29-1946] Merchant Mill expanded due to increased demand for aluminum alloy rod and bars. [MA 2-1948] New Carbon Plant built. [AB 9-1920] Massena Terminal Railroad Company took over switching duties from New York Central. [AB 12-1920] Thirty six house built by the Pine Grove Realty Company. [AB 5-1-1918] 1916 Main office building construction finished. [MA 11-1959] Alcoa Field construction started. [MA 1 2 1961] 1917 Chemical Laboratory built. [MA 9-1948] The Pine Grove Realty Company built 161 houses. [AB 5-1-1918] Night School opened at Massena Works on the second floor of the Fiber Plant Office. [MM 12-4-1987] 1918 Aluminum Bulletin first published. [MA 6-1949] January was the coldest month on record; there was a danger of frazil ice on the power canal and very little power was produced. [AB 5-1-1918] The Relief Department was formed to administer funds for disabled workers or to provide funeral benefits. [AB 5-1-1918] Pine Grove was expanded to 200 acres, with 100 houses, three boarding houses and two hotels constructed. [AB 5-1-1918] The number of Alcoa employees who directly entered military service was around 236. [AB 6-1-1919] Alcoa opened an emergency hospital on Railroad Ave. due to the influenza outbreak. [AB 12-1918] Pine Grove Hall opened to provide recreational activities (pool, bowling) and refreshments. [AB 4-1-1919] For last two years, 90% of Alcoa’s World War I production went to military use. [MA 7 8 1963] 1919 First doctor hired for medical staff. [MA 2-18-1946] The Pine Grove Realty Company had built a total of 468 houses and sold 158 lots, with 577 total buildings in Pine Grove. [AB 1-1-1919] The number of Alcoa employees that participated in the First-Fourth Liberty Loan Drives Victory Drive were 228 ($16,250), 440 ($31,000), 882 ($62,850) and 1,443 ($100,000) and 1,261 ($97,000). [AB 6-1-1919] Welcome Home Celebration for returning service members was held. [AB 9-1-1919] 1920 First month with over a million pounds of cable stranded. [MA 1-1948] Aluminum Bulletin ended publication. [MA 6-1949] The Pine Grove Realty Company had built a total of 527 dwellings at a cost of $1.5 million for employees. [AB 5-1920] Alcoa leased the Hatfield House at Massena Springs to house 200-300 employees; cost was $7.50 per week for room and board. [AB 6-1920] A 200' brick smokestack, the highest in Northern New York State, was built with 310,000 bricks at a weight of 2.1 million pounds. It was for the Carbon Plant at Building 54-A. [AB 8-1920, 9-1920] Alcoa employed 2,000-3,000 people with the population of the town and village of Massena at 7,090 in 1915. [AB 8-1920] 1921 A general business depression greatly slowed production at Massena Works. [MM 6-18-1977] 1922 F. A. Stoughton, plant superintendent inducted as first member of 25 Year Club. [MA 3-1966] 1923 1924 1925 A major expansion took place including the physical testing laboratory. [MM 6-18-1977] 1926 Merchant Mill moved to Building 79 to manufacture wire, rod and bar. [MA 2-1948] 1927 Electrical Conductor Laboratory started at Massena Works. [MA 10-1959] The roll turning shop in Building 123 was established as a department. [MA 2-1965] 1928 The Standards Department, later called the Industrial Engineering Department, was formed. [MA 2-1952] 1929 Blooming Mill (first aluminum ingot rolled) and 26" Structural Mill (for angles, channels, I-beams, and other rolled structural shapes) were constructed. [MA 1-1952] [MA 7 8 1963] 1930 Massena Works 25-Year Club started. [MA 4-17-1944] Alcoa builds mill costing $3 million for fabricating shapes such as angle, shapes and channel for railroad cars, bridges, etc. [MM 6-18-1977] 1931 1932 1933 1934 Direct chill ingot casting developed in Massena. [MM 2-10-1989] Alcoa and Aluminum Workers Union 19256 sign first agreement. [MM 8-26-1994] 1935 Pine Grove Realty Company liquidated. [MA 1-21-1946] The first teletype service was installed at Massena Works for sending and receiving telegrams. [MA 9-1954] 1936 Twelve inch channels, largest aluminum shapes produced by Alcoa for train manufacture. [MA 5-13-1946] 1937 Mercury arc rectifier replaces rotary convertes and motor-generators to produce direct current from alternating current, a first for aluminum smelting works. [MA 1 2 1963] 1938 First woman inducted into 25 Year Club at Massena. [MA 4-1958] 1939 Plant Protection Unit organized in response to aluminum theft. [MA 1-1969] 1940 Construction began for Building 140 to house 22" Mill and 12" Mill. [MA 11-1948] 1941 St. Lawrence Plant constructed by Alcoa for U. S. government. [MA v5 n3] Cable mill closed for war time production. [MA 1-1948] 1942 St. Lawrence Plant began operation. [MA v5 n3] New remelt department and blooming mill built. [MA 7 8 1963] White Office Building constructed. [MA 2-1966] German saboteurs with a Massena map captured on Long Island. [MM 6-2-1989] 1943 Massena Alcoan newsletter started publication. [MA 7-12-1943] Massena Works exhibited aluminum’s part in war production (local and company products) at the Gouveneur Fair. [MA 8-23-1943] Plancor Plant renamed St. Lawrence Plant. [MM 8-9-1996] 1944 Massena Works and St. Lawrence Plant workers and hydroelectric power pooled to prevent complete shutdown of St. Lawrence Aluminum Works by War Production Board. [MA 2-7-1944] Plant cafeteria opened and inspected by 1,800 people. [MA 3-6-1944] Aluminum Company exhibited products at St. Lawrence County Fair. [MA 8-21-1944] Fifteenth Alcoa employee killed in action in World War II. [MA 8-21-1944] Massena-Cornwall area experienced earthquake; no major disruption to Alcoa plant production. [MA 9-18-1944] Membership in the 25-Year Club reached over 200. [MA 10-30-1944] St. Lawrence Plant closed and taken over by U. S. government. [MA v5 n3] Cable mill resumed operation. [MA 1-1948] 1945 Massena Works continued essential war production of aluminum for planes, ammunition, wire, bolts, rivets, nuts, cable, etc. [MA 1-8-1945] Reemployment plans made for 26,000 returning Alcoa service members. [MA 2-5-1945] Seventh War Loan Drive with a national goal of $14 billion began with Massena’s quota $582,000. [MA 4-30-1945] Massena Works observed a one-half hour pause in operations for V-E Day and to remember the 46 workers killed in action and 2,026 in service. [MA 5-14-1945] The end of World War II caused immediate cancellation of most orders of aluminum alloy rod, wire and bar for aircraft and munitions. Production was cut back until manufacturers could convert to peace time uses of aluminum. [MA 8-20-1945] Alcoa displayed products showing end uses of Massena Works samples at Clarkson College of Technology Convocation in Potsdam, New York. [MA 10-29-1945] 1946 Personnel and Medical Building constructed. [MA 5-27-1946] Aluminum statuettes finished in Massena machine shop; given to automotive pioneers at 50th anniversary of the automotive industry. [MA 7-8-1946] Massena Homecoming Celebration held for World War II veterans with a large participation by Alcoa people . [MA 9-30-1946] Aluminum Family Day held with 3,500 people visiting Massena Works. [MA 10-14-1946] Massena Terminal Railroad Bridge (all aluminum span) constructed over Grasse River. [MA 10-14-1946] 1947 The 300th member of the 25-Year Club was inducted. [MA 7 to 8-1947] Personnel-Medical Building occupied. Hospital Building and Employment Office demolished. [MA 11-1947] 1948 Accounting Department acquired an IBM 405 punch card system for figuring costs. [MA 8-1948] The War Assets Administration agreed to sell the St. Lawrence Plant to Alcoa for $5,000,000. [MA 11-1948] Massena Operations first in Alcoa to transfer molten aluminum from smelting to fabricating operations. [MA 12-1958] Electrical Engineering Division of Alcoa Research Laboratories started at Massena Works. [MA 10-1959] 1949 Aluminum memorial plaque honoring 77 Alcoa employees killed in World War II was unveiled. [MA 2-1949] A corner stone made of Alcoa aluminum was used in the Massena Masonic Building. [MA 10-1949] Massena Works X-rayed over 1,700 Massenans to screen for tuberculosis. [MA 11-1949] Massena Works filled rush job of 14,339 lbs. of armor rod in two days to keep Idaho Power Company cable stringing on schedule. [MA 12-1949] 1950 Ground was broken for the Massena Hospital with an aluminum shovel. [MA 6-1950] The 500th member of the 25-Year Club was inducted. [MA 7-1950] Charles Blair reached 50 years of service at Alcoa. [MA 9-1950] Lou Mandish composed the Alcoa March. [MA 11-1950] A new Alcoa aluminum sign was installed at Massena Works. [MA 11-1950] The St. Lawrence Plant was purchased by Alcoa. [MM 8-9-1996] 1951 Cutbacks in civilian use of aluminum ordered by government. Alcoa increased production for military use in aircraft, landing mats, bazookas, bridges, radar towers, helmets, rockets, ships, engine parts and mess kits. Massena Works production increased, including idle government plant. [MA 1-1951] Massena Memorial Hospital constructed with aluminum windows and spandrels. [MA 2-1951] Aluminum pneumatic tubing installed to carry samples from Remelting Department to Chemical Laboratory, for a total of 18,400 feet. [MA 7-1951] Massena Works produced largest electrical conductor ever supplied for an overhead transmission line. Expanded Aluminum Cable Steel Reinforced was nearly 2 million pounds and 1.6 inch diameter. [MA 8-1951] Airport Administration Building dedicated with aluminum windows. [MA 10-1951] Rodding operation started at St. Lawrence Plant Carbon Rodding Department. [MM 1-29-1988] 1952 Three thousand ton hydraulic forging press, leased from the government and formerly used by Chevrolet, installed. It weighed 200 tons, was 28 feet in height and was used to make aircraft engine parts. [MA 1-1952] The Massena Works Open House, scheduled as part of the 50th anniversary celebration was postponed until 1953 due to storm damage at the plant. [MA 9-1952] More than 600 people viewed the movie of the Massena Sesquicentennial at the Town Hall. [MA 1-1953] Pot hooding and collection system installed in smelting area. [MA 5-1970] 1953 The fiftieth anniversary of powered flight by the Wright Brothers and using an aluminum engine, was commemorated. Massena Works was the only smelter operating at the time of the flight. [MA 2-1953] The celebration included music, a parade, Massena Works Open House, reenactment of the pouring of the first aluminum at Massena and airplane displays at the airport. [MA 6-1953] Nearly 7,000 people toured the plant. [MA 7 to 8 1953] Addition made to Building 131 to store metal coming from Blooming Mill and going to 26" Structural Mill. [MA 2-1953] The St. Lawrence Plant extension of the Ontario-Hydro-Massena 110 kV electrical line constructed with aluminum cable steel reinforced. The 6,600 V electrical tie line destroyed in the 1952 storm was rebuilt. [MA 3-1953] Margaret Sullivan was the first woman to retire at Massena Works, after working 36 years. [MA 9-1953] Massena Works Merchant Mill reached 266 billion feet of Alcoa Alclad Aluminum wire produced, enough to reach the moon and back 100 times, and used for insect wire screening. [MA 11-1953] Robert Danforth reached 50 years of employment with Alcoa, working on real estate and properties. [MA 1-1954] Alcoa Building in Pittsburgh, the world’s first aluminum skyscraper, built. [MA 7 8 1963] 1954 The Foundry, which made cable accessories, was moved from Building 68 to 124C, with new molding equipment, furnaces, ladles and conveyors. [MA 5-1954] Teletype communications system installed (20,000 miles long) connecting Pittsburgh office and sales offices. [MA 9-1954] Extension constructed for the Massena Terminal Railroad Company to serve the St. Lawrence Power Project, running north and east of the classification yard to the Wheeler Crossroad. [MA 10-1954] Alcoa developed aluminum clad steel wire (ACSW) with help from Massena Works and made in Merchant Mill. [MA 11-1954] Aluminum container used as time capsule in the cornerstone of the New York Telephone Building on Glenn St. [MA 12-1954] 1955 Shipments of aluminum cable steel reinforced began to be shipped on larger reels, 96" diameter and 60" width, compared to 84" by 45" previously. Each reel held 7,400 feet of 1.75 inch diameter expanded ACSR and weighed 9 tons. [MA 1-1955] Robert Moses, chairman of the New York Power Authority, said that Alcoa would require one-third of the U. S. hydroelectric power from the St. Lawrence Power Project. [MA 1-1955] Massena Works supplied forging stock for the first aluminum wheel on a modern passenger car-1955 Cadillac models. [MA 3-1955] Merchant Mill produced wire for Alcoa’s first complete line of standard aluminum nails. [MA 4-1955] Alcoa electrical conductor (335-400 circular mill line, 4800 volt line) strung on Center Street in Massena. [MA 6-1955] There were 6,000 Alcoa employees ($30 million payroll) with the population of Massena being 15,000. [MA 6-1955] Cedars-Massena and Ontario Hydro-Massena transmission lines relocated for Seaway-Power Project using Alcoa cable. [MA 7-1955] Three of smallest potlines at Massena Works reactivated for Korean War shut down affecting 100 employees. [MA 9 to 10 1955] Aluminum telephone booth placed in front of Massena Town Hall. [MA 9 to 10 1955] 1956 Massena Works facilities expanded to produce insulated aluminum line conductor. [MA 1-1956] Massena Works produced one mile of 2" all aluminum cable for a 15,000 pound inductance coil experiment at the University of Michigan. [MA 1-1956] Alcoa gave Massena Central School District land off North Main Street for Madison School. [MA 2-1956] Seaway Administration Building planned for Andrews Street to have aluminum panels and possibly alumilite aluminum finished hardware. [MA 3-1956] Local grocery stores placed orders for Alcoa Wrap aluminum foil. [MA 4-1956] Colored aluminum panels used on construction of new wing of Jefferson School and planned for four new elementary schools. [MA 5-1956] Light standards made of Alcoa aluminum erected on Main and Andrews Streets and Grasse River Bridge. [MA 6-1956] New potlines and supporting facilities consructed to be used with power from the Power Authority of the State of New York. [MA 7 to 8 1956] In 12 hours, Massena Works shipped 12 miles of 795,000 cm 37 strand all aluminum cable to Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation Schoelkopf power station after it suffered a landslide. [MA 8 to 9 1956] Massena Intake structure built to provide water to the Village of Massena and Alcoa. [MA 9-1956] Slavin’s store on the corner of Main and Water Streets built with aluminum sheet walls. [MA 10-1956] Massena Terminal Railroad Bridge over arterial highway constructed with Alcoa aluminum posts and railings. [MA 12-1956] 1957 Alcoa had a $30 million payroll and 6,150 employees living in 32 communities. [MA 1-1957] Clopman’s Store, on Main Street, built with decorative aluminum sheet front. [MA 1-1957] Accounting Department acquired IBM 650 Magnetic Drum Data Processing Machine for production, inventory, payroll, scheduling, etc. [MA 3-1957] Four potlines recently shut down leaving six in operation. [MA 4-1957] Northern New York Trust Company branch office built with aluminum inside and out. [MA 4-1957] Ray’s Restaurant, Main Street, Massena, built with Alcoa aluminum and used Wear-Ever utensils and Kensington tables. [MA 9-1957] 1958 Grasse River Bridge tying Rt. 37, Maple St., Rt. 56, Andrews St., and urban highway, made with aluminum bridge railing. [MA 1-1958] The Aluminum Cooking Utensil Co., Inc., wholly owned subsidiary of Alcoa, changes its name to Wear-Ever Aluminum, Inc., having sold an estimated 377 million aluminum utensils. [MA 3-1958] Liberal use of aluminum was made in the new St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. building. [MA 4-1958] End of use of marine equipment by the St. Lawrence River Power Co. At Dodge’s Bay. Pontoons, equipment and tugs were sold. [MA 4-1958] Twenty Five Year Club reaches 1,000th member. [MA 4-1958] Magnetic Drum Data Processing Machine IBM 650 installed to handle nearly all statistical clerical work. [MA 5-1958] Massena Vacationland Festival held by Chamber of Commerce. Store windows display many aluminum products. [MA 6-1958] Piers at south channel of the St. Lawrence River blown up to allow Seaway ships to enter. [MA 6-1958] Two new potlines start up using hydroelectric power from Robert Moses-Robert Saunders Dam. Four obsolete potlines shut down. Massena Intake gates close, stopping flow of water in power canal. Power house discontinued generation of electricity. Power canal and power house transferred to the Power Authority of the State of New York. [MA 9-1958] Alcoa exhibits many aluminum products at the New York State Fair. [MA 10-1958] Alcoa Massena Operations has produced enough aluminum screen wire to reach the moon 210 times. [MA] 1959 Alcoa acquires Rome Cable Corporation to combine electrical conductor conduit and accessory manufacture. [MA 3-1959] The north-east section of the Pontoon Bridge over the power canal collapsed. [MA 3-1959] Alcoa Massena Operations received contract from the Power Authority of the State of New York aluminum conductor for tie-in-line from Niagara Hydroelectric Plant to Syracuse (145 miles, 1,185 aluminum and ground wire, 741,925 lb. ACSR, 5,123,312 lb conductor cable). [MA 11-1959] Building for the lower level original potlines razed. [MA 11-1959] 1960 St. Lawrence Plant changed name to Massena Smelting Works. [MA 12-1959] Alcoa sign on urban highway (80'X33') lit up. [MA 1-1960] Demolition of original smelting facilities completed. [MA 1-1960] The St. Lawrence Power Co. changes name to Long Sault, Inc., operating power transmission facility and water pumping facility. [MA 2-1960] New conductor developed at Massena (2.32" diameter) to be used by GE Co. to transmit power experimentally at super-high voltage (460,000-750,000 V) (expanded ACSR-aluminum conductor steel reinforced). [MA 3-1960] Ninety-two buildings finished demolition (50+ years old) including 204' 6" carbon stack. [MA 3-1960] Heat treating furnace installed, costing $500,000, replacing less efficient equipment in Merchant Mill, improving heat treating of wire, rod and bar, structural shapes for corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. [MA 6-1960] High bridge over power canal demolished. [MA 10-1960] Village of Massena accepts Alcoa’s offer of six acre Alcoa Field for park and recreational purposes. [MA 1 2 1961] Alcoa power house passes. [MA 1 2 1961] 1961 Popular Science (April 1961) featured Alcoa Massena 2.32" aluminum conductor in Extra-High Voltage Experiment by General Electric (1,500 A, may carry 750,000 V). [MA 3 4 1961] Massena Operations installed “all aluminum” electric power transformer (largest ever built with all aluminum structural and electrical parts. [MA 7 8 1961] Conductor accessory department retained at Massena Operations employing 70 at foundry accessory finishing department and pattern shop, making 4,000 different items. [MA 7 8 1961] After 13 years, Massena Smelting Works delivered one billionth pound of molten aluminum to Massena Fabricating Plant. [MA 11 12 1961] Fifth potline restarted at Massena Operations employing 65. [MA 11 12 1961] 1962 The Henry H. Warren Memorial Library is completed. [MA 7 8 1963] Cornwall-Massena Bridge dedicated with aluminum used extensively in American part of bridge. [MA 5 6 1962] Causeway across power canal constructed. [MA 7 8 1962] Costly electrical fire in electrical control panel of continuous mill (part of 140 department) shut down mill for three weeks. [MA 9 10 1962] Alcoa gave Village of Massena land adjoining sewage disposal plant on North Main St. for water filtration plant, and Pine Grove Park, for around 12 acres total. [MA 9 10 1962] A one day strike occurred. [MA 1-1965] 1963 Accounting Department starts use of IBM 1410 for data processing. [MA 11 12 1963] Massena Operations produces 6,000,000,000th pound of aluminum. [MA 9 10 1963] Modernization program, costing $2,000,000, started, including new wire processing equipment, annealing furnace and warehouse. [MA 9 10 1963] Alcoa introduced new trademark as part of company’s 75th anniversary. [MA 1 2 1963] Alcoa Massena Operations celebrated 60th anniversary of operations. [MA 7 8 1963] 1964 Park Avenue Bridge over Power Canal dismantled. [MA 1 2 1964] A strike lasting 28 days at Alcoa Massena Operations resulted in 200 jobs lost. [MA 5 6 1964] Electrical conductor accessory (Stockbridge damper) developed and manufactured at Massena featured in Electric Light and Power magazine (July 1964). [MA 7 8 1964] Alcoa Massena Operations has 100 acres under roof, 28 miles of highway, 22 miles of train track and makes 120,000 tons of primary aluminum. [MA 9 10 1964] The six billionth pound of primary aluminum since 1903 was produced at Massena Operations. [MA 1-1965] 1965 The Titan II rocket was made with Massena welding wire and other Alcoa aluminum. [MA 4-1965] The Alcoa sign along the Grasse River facing Rt. 37 was refurbished to include the new Alcoa trademark. [MA 5-1965] A 5,000 ton extrusion press was installed to make extruded sections formerly produced as rolled products. [MA 10-1965] Alcoa Forecast airplane used in marketing Alcoa products included display of Massena products. [MA 11 12 1965] 1966 White Office Building demolished. [MA 2-1966] Massena Operations 7079 alloy made into forgings at Cleveland Works used in Saturn IB space vehicles. [MA 3-1966] Massena Operations awarded $6 million order of transmission conductor and accessories (18 million feet of ACSR-aluminum cable steel reinforced) by Tennessee Valley Authority. [MA 3-1966] Two new all-aluminum unit trains (50 cars each) carry alumina continuously from Mobile, AL to Massena (3,400 mile round trip). [MA 4-1966] Two thousandth member of 25 Year Club inducted. [MA 5-1966] Massena Operations produces alloys for tankage and other rocket structural components. [MA 6-1966] Helicopters made with aluminum parts fabricated from Massena-produced wire, rod and bar and forging stock, used in Vietnam. [MA 6-1966] Fire in electrical control panel in 12 Inch Continous Mill disrupted operations for 12 days. [MA 8-1966] Largest gathering ever held of Massena Alcoans, more than 3,000, assembled in Building 140 shipping area to hear Alcoa President John Harper begin Zero Defect Program at Massena Operations. [MA 9-1966] First shipment made for Tennessee Valley Authority Extra High Voltage Electrical Transmission Line (18 million feet of aluminum conductor, 1.16 in. diameter, 500 mile complex). [MA 11-1966] IBM System 1360 and Lewis 20 straightener installed in Merchant Mill. Vaugh 12-die wire drawing machine installed. [MA 4-1967] 1967 Multimillion dollar expansion of bare and covered conductor manufacturing facilities at Massena Operations announced. [MA 4-1967] Bell Laboratories, working with Alcoa Massena Operations, tested underground aluminum telephone cable. [MA 6-1967] Family Day held with 6,000 employees and family members touring plant and viewing products. [MA 7-1967] Fully automated warehouse operation begun in 140 shipping department with start up of automatic stacker crane (first in Alcoa and one of first in country). [MA 8-1967] Conductor Accessory Department employed 171 people, three times the number in 1959, making 2,000-2,5000 different items there and in the foundry. [MA 8-1967] 1968 Massena Operations switches from PBX (used since 1939) to Centrex telephone service with New York Telephone. [MA 4-1968] New production control quantometer for analyzing chemical composition replaced quantometer from 1948 and used with IBM /1800 process computer. [MA 5-1968] A two month strike, the longest at Massena Operations, occurred. [MA 8-1968] Alcoa Conductor Products Company formed, including conductor operations at Massena Operations. [MA 11-1968] Apollo 8 spacecraft circled the moon. It was constructed with Massena Operations Almigweld welding electrode. [MA 1-1969] 1969 Apollo 8 crew sent letter of thanks to Massena Operations workers. [MA 2-1969] First female electrical engineer hired at Alcoa Research Laboratories at Massena Operations. [MA 3-1969] Lunar Module (Eagle) from Apollo 11 spacecraft contains machined parts made from Massena Operations fabricated rod and bar. [MA 7-1969] 1970 A Junior Achievement company sponsored by Alcoa sells aluminum coat hangars made from fabricated rod from Massena Operatons Merchant Mill, shaped by students, analyzed and sold for $0.50 each. [MA 4-1970] Massena Operations to provide hot metal for General Motors Chevrolet Vega aluminum engine block. [MA 8-1970] Massena Operations reaches 5 million (later 5,757,942 [MA 11-1970]) man hours accident free work record for Alcoa and aluminum industry. [MA 10-1970] Boston Store, Harte Haven Shopping Center, has Christmas window display for wire, rod and bar products from Massena Operations. [MA 11-1970] Over 1,000 miles of Almigweld, aluminum welding wire manufactured at Massena Operations, used in construction of Alcoa Seaprobe-deep sea search and recovery vessel. [MA 12-1970] 1971 CRT (cathode ray tube) units (computer screen and keyboard) put in use by management information services to speed data retrieval. [MA 7 8 1971] New extrusion press installed and modernization of continuous rolling mill took place. [MA 11 12 1971] 1972 70th Anniversary of Alcoa in Massena observed. [MA 4 5 1972] Construction began on new potline and Alcoa 398 Emission Control Process [MA 4 5 1972] Massena Operations will supply aluminum for wheels for 1973 Ford Pinto. [MA 6 7 1972] 1973 Massena Operatons received approval to acquire 8" casting unit with molds to make ingots turned into aluminum wheels at Cleveland Works. [MA 9-1974] 1974 Construction peaked for addition of new potroom line (replacing three World War II era potlines) and other buildings and equipment. [MA 3 4 1974] Massena Operations institutes many energy conservation and efficiency measures. [MA 3 4 1974] Vaughn 13 die wire drawing machine put into use to reduce rod diameter from 3/8" or 7/16" to as small as 0.064" for rivets, zippers, screen cloth and electrical conductor wire. [MA 7 1974] Alcoa Massena Operations 25 Year Club inducts its 3,000th member. [MA 12 1974] 1975 Hot metal broke through the lining of No. 6 melting furnace, spread on the floor and started a fire. [MA 3 4 1975] New conductor (2.7" diameter hollow core conductor for ultra-high voltage, 1100 kV, transmission lines) manufactured in bare conductor mill. [MA 3 4 1975] New loading dock installed in Building 140. [MA 3 4 1975] New potlines started using 10% less electricity than older potlines. [MA 11-1975] 1976 1977 Massena Operations has over 100 acres under roof, 28 miles of roads, 22 miles of railroad and makes 35 million pounds of aluminum per month, having made 9.02 billion pounds since its founding. [MM 6-18-1977] New potline constructed is the largest in the world. [MM 6-18-1977] New IBM 370-138 computer system installed for accounting work. [MM 11-11-1977] Modernization and consolidation of wire mill occurs (Buildings 140 and 131 joined and new electrical distribution system installed.). [MM 11-11-1977] 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 ACPC (Alcoa Conductor Products Company) with Massena Operations developed ACSR-TW (Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced-Trapezoidal Aluminum Wire). Trapezoidal aluminum strands fit more conducting cross section into a given diameter of conductor. [MM 8-26-1983] 1984 Construction takes place for installation of multi-million dollar continuous rod caster and rolling facility, tilt furnaces and control room. [MM 3-22-1984] Alcoa underwrites production of hour long documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway. [MM 6-22-1984] Statistical Process Control to eliminate variations in the production process introduced at Massena Operations. [MM 6-12-1987] 1985 Massena Operations experiments with alithalite (aluminum lithium alloy for aircraft parts) by rolling experimental rod through continuous mill. [MM 5-17-1985] Alcoa is a major sponsor of the first annual Alumaman triathlon. [MM 6-13-1985] A fire occurs at the entrance to the Looprow preheat furnace in Building 1-A. [MM 6-30-1985] Construction undertaken for a $1.8 million production center for wire, rod and bar department in Building 140 for small diameter rod and bar. [MM 6-27-1985] Massena Operations donates aluminum box for a time capsule at Massena Central High School marking the graduation of the school’s 100th class. [MM 6-27-1985] Line 4-C (P-75s) potline to be shutdown for a year. [MM 10-24-1985] Alcoa Clubhouse opens for meetings, training and social functions. [MM 3-13-1986] Massena Operations agreed with New York State Department of Conservation to study industrial waste sites on plant property. [MM 4-21-1987] First coils produced on continuous caster. [MM 8-27-1993] 1986 The Ingot Plant’s No. 12 Furnace, used since World War II, replaced in $3.5 million furnace rebuild program. [MM 3-13-1986] Computer terminals placed in distribution offices linking to Massena’s Products Control Department for inventory, pricing, production status and ordering. [MM 3-27-1986] Massena Operations starts production of a 16 million pound order of cable for the New York Power Authority’s 345 kV Marcy South Line [MM 4-24-1986] ABGWIU and OPEIU workers on strike for a nine week period at Massena Operations. [MM 9-12-1986] [MM 10-17-1986] Continuous Mill basement flooded with one million gallons of water, costing $500,000 and shutting down production for three weeks. [WRB Report 11-1986] Alcoa failed to reach an agreement with the New York Power Authority for lower electricity rates and will terminate remaining power under nuclear contract. [MM 12-1-1986] A fire occurred in the Ingot Plant when a fuel line broke. [MM 12-31-1986] 1987 Ingot Plant No. 5 Casting Complex starts use of computer control technology. [MM 1-23-1987] Construction began on $1.2 million chip melter near Casting Complex No. 5 to melt chips from machined wheels to make more ingot. [MM 1-29-1987] Massena Operations opposed New York State Health Department attempt to discontinue acute care at Massena Memorial Hospital. [MM 2-3-1987] [MM 2-12-1987] Massena Operations smelter used all available pots (198 in a one-half mile long P-225 potline) for first time in nine years. Potline runs continuously producing 700,000 pounds of molten aluminum every 24 hours. [MM 5-8-1987] Potrooms convert to 6" longer carbon anodes saving $1.25 million each year due to lower voltage requirements. [MM 6-19-1987] Computerized tracking of rod and bar inventory costing $730,000 approved by corporate office. [MM 7-3-1987] Massena Operations Safety/Security Department helped prepare Massena Town Disaster Plan. [MM 7-22-1987] ACPC ends production in cable mill, eliminating 90 jobs. [MM 9-11-1987] 1988 Alcoa celebrates its centennial of the founding of the Pittsburgh Reduction Company. [MM 1-8-1988] Massena Operations approved as a historical landmark by the American Society for Metals International. Massena Operations cited as the oldest continuously operating aluminum reduction facility in the Western Hemisphere. [MM 3-4-1988] ASM International dedicated Massena Operations as a Historical Landmark with aluminum plaque and marker. [MM 9-16-1988] ACPC in calbe mill reaches agreement to restart production. [MM 5-20-1988] Original plant buildings demolished. [MM 6-10-1988] Building #10 (original pot lining, carbon cleaning and rodding) and Building #8 (carbon anode manufacture) built in 1903, demolished. [MM 7-1-1988] Building #14 (potroom) demolished. [MM 7-29-1988] Building #78, built in 1920 for electrical repair and maintenance, demolished. [MM 9-2-1988] Storm blows off roofs of Buildings 79 and 224. Building 140 had glass and steel frames of windows broken. There was minimal power loss. [MM 7-1-1988] Massena Operations observes the 85th anniversary of its first production of aluminum. [MM 8-26-1988] Open House of Massena Operations for family and friends with plant tours and food. Six thousand people attended. [MM 9-9-1988] [MM 9-16-1988] [MM 9-23-1988] New union contracts approved by ABGWIU, USW, and UAAW for 43 months agreement. [MM 12-16-1988] Four train cars of the Massena Terminal Railroad carrying alumina derailed on the bridge spanning the power canal. [MM 1-6-1989] 1989 No. 30 Casting Complex updated and restarted after being idle since 1986. [MM 2-24-1989] Seventy-five percent of the cars in the Daytona 500 contain Massena Operations aluminum (Wiseco high-performance pistons). [MM 3-3-1989] The St. Lawrence County Historical Association produced the exhibition “Canal to Company Town: Alcoa in Massena”. [MM 4-7-1989] Massena Operations submits feasibility study to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for remedial actions for hazardous waste sites at the plant. [MM 11-3-1989] The Chem Lab reaches 50 years (2 million hours) without a lost work day injury. [MM 11-17-1989] 1990 Carlton Shaver reaches 50 years of service and retired from Massena Operations. [MM 7-13-1990] Alcoa and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation signed a consent order for a proposed waste site cleanup plan. [MM 8-17-1990] Ford makes aluminum wheels standard on two vehicle models creating a need for 2.4 million wheels over two years from Massena Operations. [MM 9-7-1990] Massena Operations pot donated to Pittsburgh History and Landmark Foundation to be part of an Industrial Artifact Riverwalk. [MM 10-19-1990] General Refuse Landfill at Massena Operations closed. Building 314 (former potroom) converted to waste storage. [MM 11-30-1990] 1991 Massena Chamber of Commerce holds Industrial Appreciation Day to honor Alcoa and other local companies. [MM 5-15-1991] Remediation Projects Organization formed to implement Alcoa’s Environmental Policy in Massena. [MM 5-17-1991] Alcoa invests $12.2 million in Massena Operations Smelting Operations. [MM 1-17-1992] 1992 Administrative consent order issued by U. S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning PCB levels in the Grasse River. Alcoa submitted a work plan to the EPA to lead toward implementation of a feasibility study. [MM 4-10-1992] Three feasibility studies complete and two Records of Decision outlining environmental work at Massena Operations’ 14 sites. [MM 7-31-1992] Massena Operations provides 2.5 million pounds of crushed tapped bath to a customer in Russia. [MM 11-13-1992] The Village of Massena and Massena Operations install a zebra mussel control system at the Massena Intake. [MM 1-29-1993] 1993 New ore unloading station constructed. [MM 3-12-1993] A blizzard hampers operations at the plant. [MM 3-19-1993] Sithe Energies Massena Energy Facility (cogeneration plant) begins operation, producing 79 MW of electricity and 70-80,000 pounds of steam daily. [MM 4-30-1993] Alcoa, Reynolds, USWA and the ABGWIU reach a new three year agreement. [MM 6-4-1993] The hazardous materials secure landfill constructed. [MM 7-2-1993] Massena Operations computer system has a major overhaul creating a local area network and utilizing the Microsoft Windows operating system. [MM 7-9-1993] Production Center PC1 put into operation. [MM 9-3-1993] On plant employee sales permanently closed. [MM 11-5-1993] Environmental work for demolition of the St. Lawrence Plant was completed. [MM 8-9-1996] Fourteen million dollar upgrade to smelter takes place. [MM 1-21-1994] Massena Operations adds 6262 and 6061 Rod and Bar Product. [MM 2-4-1994] 1994 Massena Operations completed Potlining Pile 1 remediation area, first remediation site completed and one of 14 super fund sites. [MM 6-10-1994] Remediation Projects Organization holds open house and bus tours of remediation sites. [MM 8-12-1994] 1995 Galbestos (asbestos saturated with polychlorinated biphenyls) abatement begins on the St. Lawrence Plant. [MM 8-9-1996] Five of original 14 hazardous waste sites remediated. [MM 6-23-1995] 1996 A new computer information system for Massena Operations was implemented. [MM 1-26-1996] Massena Operations cleanup, costing $200 million and covering 17 separate waste sites, 37 acres of landfill and 110 acres of contaminated lagoons, begun. [MM 1-19-1996] Demolition of buildings at the St. Lawrence Plant begins. [MM 8-9-1996] Massena Operations (Wire, Rod and Bar including Ingot, Extrusion and Cold Finishing) achieves ISO 9002 certification, showing adherence to the quality management system standard. [MM 11-1-1996] Alcoa Bridge depicted on the Massena Chamber of Commerce Christmas ornament. [MM 11-1-1996] Potable Water Tower Building 262 built. [MM 8-8-1997] Five Year Site Appearance and Silviculture Program started for landscape improvements and to improve the impact on the environment. [MM 6-26-1998] 1997 The St. Lawrence Plant N40 demolition project continues with the ore unloading shed removal, basements filled in and ore bridge removal. [MM 6-20-1997] Area I/II Buildings Demolition Project begun to involve 24 abandoned buildings and two unused oil storage tanks( including Merchant Mill Building 79, etc., PT Lab 83, etc., Cable Mill 1, etc., Building 81 horse barn, and Mag Alley. [MM 7-25-1997] 1998 Operations keeps molten metal production running during major ice storm with most fabricating processes suspended for several days. [MM 1-16-1998] Ingot Wastewater Treatment System construction begins. [MM 6-12-1998] Cable Mill demolished, foundations and unused parking lots excavated, and grass and trees replanted. [MM 6-26-1998] Since 1996, 437,000 square feet of buildings were demolished, with 490,000 square feet to be removed. [MM 6-26-1998] Massena Operations hosts booth at the New York Power Authority’s 40th Birthday Community Celebration for the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. [MM 8-7-1998] Massena Operations participates in Alcoa’s one million trees program, with each Alcoa employee receiving one tree per year for the next 10 years to plant. [MM 8-28-1998] Preparations begin for Y2K. [MM 11-13-1998] The Aluminum Company of America changes its name to Alcoa. [MM 12-31-1998] 1999 Ingot Plant sets all time monthly production record of 37.2 million pounds. [MM 2-6-199] Massena Operations aluminum to be used to make 120 mm ammunition training rounds (from 7075 extruded rod) for U. S. Army M1A1/A2 Abrams main battle tank. [MM 2-26-1999] Massena Operation continues planning process for computer system and programmable electronics to convert to the year 2000. [MM 7-16-1999] Alcoa offers to purchase Reynolds Metals Company for $5.6 billion in cash and stock. [MM 8-13-1999] Alcoa and Reynolds agree to merge. [MM 8-20-1999] Focus groups formed at Massena Operations and other Alcoa locations gather input and ideas regarding Alcoa-Reynolds merger. [MM 10-1-1999] 2000 Massena Operations did not experience any computer problems related toY2K millenium bug. [MM 1-7-2000] Primary Metals Plant at Massena begins $17 million annual cost reduction initiative. [MM 2-15-2000] Continuous Mill ends production after nearly 50 years. [MM 3-3-2000] Alcoa-Reynolds merger completed. [MM 5-12-2000] Major explosion occurs at #31 Furnace with only minor injuries and with the furnace completely destroyed. [MM 8-25-2000] 2001 Alcoa Bridge closed to be demolished and new bridge constructed in its place. [MM 3-12-2001] Massena East Plant (formerly Reynolds) begins cost reduction initiative to cut costs by at least $6 million. [MM 8-31-2001] Alcoa donates $100,000 to the Town of Massena to fund the bicentennial celebration of the town. [MM 2 3 2002] 2002 Alcoa Massena Operations (West Plant) celebrates its 100th anniversary. An open house was held with 4,300 visitors. [MM 10-2002] 2003 Partial production shutdown at Alcoa East and West Plants occurred. [MM 8-31-2004] 2004 Idled smelting capacity at Alcoa East and West Plants to be restarted returning to full capacity. [MM 8-31-2004] 2005 Alcoa holds Worldwide Community Service Week with individuals and teams from Alcoa Massena recognized for their past community work. [MM 10-17-2005] 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 West Plant Cashouse is damaged in fire. [AN 12-2012] The United States Environmental Protection Agency released a proposed plan for the remediation of the Grasse River, to include dredging, capping and armored capping of over 7.2 miles of the river, and costing $243 million. [AN 12-2012] The final phase of an engineering study for the Massena Modernization Project was completed. The project would include new potlines at the East Plant and upgrades to support facilities at the East and West Plants. [AN 12-2012] 2013 One of the three potlines was shut down at the Massena East Plant. [AN 8-2013] Groundbreaking and site work begins on the Massena Modernization Project,including clearing land for transmission lines. [AN 8-2013] Record of Decision released by the Environmental Protection Agency for the Grasse River Remediation Project. [AN 8-2013] 2014 2015 Key: AB Aluminum Bulletin [1918-1920] MA Massena Alcoan [1943-] MM Massena Memo [19-2007] AN AlumiNews [2012-2013]