Our heritage -- Horizons online

Our heritage

Since our founding as Collins Radio Company, Rockwell Collins and its products have been recognized for distinctive quality and state-of-the-art technology. Collins Radio Company, founded by Arthur Collins, initially designed and produced short wave radio equipment. Our company steadily grew, and captured the world's attention when Collins supplied the equipment to establish a communications link with the South Pole expedition of Rear Admiral Richard Byrd in 1933.

Our company continued to expand its work in all phases of the communications field while broadening its technology thrust into numerous other disciplines. Collins Radio Company provided communications in America's space program, including equipment for astronauts to communicate with earth stations and equipment to track and communicate with spacecraft. Collins communications equipment was used for the Apollo, Gemini and Mercury programs, providing voice communication for every American astronaut traveling through space.

Today, Rockwell Collins designs, produces, markets and supports electronic communications, avionics and in-flight entertainment systems for commercial, military and government customers worldwide.

Learn how our longstanding commitment to innovation and operational excellence allows us to continue to produce rock-solid avionics and communications systems for customers across the globe.

Collins Radio Company Founder Arthur Collins in 1932.
Rockwell Collins image

75 years ago –1932

In November 1931, Arthur Collins began building radio transmitters for amateur radio operators, also known as hams, in his Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home. Collins entered the world of business later that year, thanks to the financial assistance provided by his father, M.H. Collins, who had established a $10,000 trust for his son.

At the tender age of 22, Collins became sole proprietor of "Arthur Collins Radio Laboratories." Part-time help was provided back then by fellow ham radio operators Leo Hruska and Roy Harrington. In 1932, Clair Miller became Collins' first full-time employee.

This young company struggled against all odds during the depth of the Great Depression. In 1932, the company lost $4,188 and one year later, lost another $729.

The company's first advertisement was published in January 1932 in QST Magazine. Two months later, the second advertisement was published and the company was now referred to as "Collins Radio Transmitters." It would be another 18 months before Arthur Collins incorporated and renamed his company, "Collins Radio Company."

50 years ago – 1957

Fiscal year 1957 was a time of enormous growth for our company. Employment stood at 10,092, our reported net earnings for the fiscal year, which ended in July, was $2.7 million, and our reported sales were $124 million.

Fifty years ago, communication took place on large radios such as the KWM-1 (pictured inside this vehicle), which was the first Single-Sideband transceiver.
Rockwell Collins image

It also was a time of significant technical innovation as Art Collins continued to lead the development of High Frequency (HF) Single-Sideband (SSB) technologies, which provided a more efficient means of communication. This effort included the introduction of the KWM-1, which was the first SSB transceiver and the introduction of the first HF Log Periodic Antennas. Transistors were just being introduced into the Collins equipment line.

The Cold War was in full swing and Collins products and systems were in the thick of it. For instance, a record-setting B-52 flight around the world took place using a Collins-equipped HF SSB network. Collins Trans-Horizons Scatter Communication Systems were used in remote, undeveloped regions of the world, and Collins communications equipment linked the sites of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, which spread across the far northern latitudes of Alaska and Canada.

25 years ago – 1982

America's return to manned space flight for the first time since the Apollo and Space Lab missions of the early 1970s was capturing headlines around the world. Rockwell International was the prime contractor for the space shuttle, and the Columbia was the first to fly a science experiment package.

Rockwell also signed a $2.2 billion contract with the U.S. Air Force in 1982, for full scale development and initial production of the B-1B bomber. Predictions at the time were that nearly 58,000 people across 3,000 companies would work on the program during its peak. The program included key communication and navigation systems from the Collins Radio divisions of Rockwell International.

Planning was under way for an enterprise-wide open house to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Collins Radio Company in 1983.

Also in 1982, the Aerospace & Electronics Systems Society (AESS) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) presented Arthur Collins with its Pioneer Award for contributions in the area of voice and data radio communications and electronics.

10 years ago – 1997

Now known as Rockwell Collins, our commercial and government avionics activities were integrated into one large business to address the total avionics and communication market segments worldwide. This effort resulted in higher revenues and expanded market share. The environment for this business was expected to be very strong for the foreseeable future.

In commercial avionics, our company was benefiting from the explosive growth in air travel, which was creating a need for new aircraft and the retrofit of older airplanes.

Rockwell Collins continued to dominate the high performance Global Positioning Systems (GPS) marketplace. In fact, our company delivered the 100,000th Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) in 1997.

Continuing along the growth path, Rockwell Collins also entered the in-flight entertainment market segment with the December acquisition of the former Hughes-Avicom. A technology first also took place this year with the introduction of the world's first Java-embedded microprocessor.

5 years ago – 2002

The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks caused a sudden drop in the commercial aviation marketplace just two months after Rockwell Collins began trading as an independent company in July 2001. This had a tremendous impact on the Commercial Systems side of our business.

The Government Systems sector of our business, however, was witnessing a modest increase, and our company was on track toward achieving $2.5 billion in sales for fiscal year 2002, which was 12 percent less than the previous year.

Rockwell Collins' diversification plan began with the acquisitions of Communication Solutions, Inc., in March and Airshow, Inc., in August. Our company now has facilities in 45 domestic locations and 30 international sites.

-- Information compiled by longtime Rockwell Collins employee Rod Blocksome, who is a principal electrical engineer in Government Systems.

This issue's banner features the following images (from left): Arthur Collins' boyhood home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a KWM-1 radio; a Collins Radio Company catalog circa 1957.

Volume 12 Issue 3 > Our heritage
Volume 12 Issue 3 Deeply rooted in our heritage Delivering on our brand promise Feeding our economic engine One big, happy family Committed to customer support From Clay Jones Executive Profile - Kelly Ortberg Our heritage Letters to the editor Contributors in this issue Across our company Service anniversaries Retirees In memoriam Facility spotlight		Our heritage Since our founding as Collins Radio Company, Rockwell Collins and its products have been recognized for distinctive quality and state-of-the-art technology. Collins Radio Company, founded by Arthur Collins, initially designed and produced short wave radio equipment. Our company steadily grew, and captured the world's attention when Collins supplied the equipment to establish a communications link with the South Pole expedition of Rear Admiral Richard Byrd in 1933. Our company continued to expand its work in all phases of the communications field while broadening its technology thrust into numerous other disciplines. Collins Radio Company provided communications in America's space program, including equipment for astronauts to communicate with earth stations and equipment to track and communicate with spacecraft. Collins communications equipment was used for the Apollo, Gemini and Mercury programs, providing voice communication for every American astronaut traveling through space. Today, Rockwell Collins designs, produces, markets and supports electronic communications, avionics and in-flight entertainment systems for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. Learn how our longstanding commitment to innovation and operational excellence allows us to continue to produce rock-solid avionics and communications systems for customers across the globe. Collins Radio Company Founder Arthur Collins in 1932. Rockwell Collins image 75 years ago –1932 In November 1931, Arthur Collins began building radio transmitters for amateur radio operators, also known as hams, in his Cedar Rapids, Iowa, home. Collins entered the world of business later that year, thanks to the financial assistance provided by his father, M.H. Collins, who had established a $10,000 trust for his son. At the tender age of 22, Collins became sole proprietor of "Arthur Collins Radio Laboratories." Part-time help was provided back then by fellow ham radio operators Leo Hruska and Roy Harrington. In 1932, Clair Miller became Collins' first full-time employee. This young company struggled against all odds during the depth of the Great Depression. In 1932, the company lost $4,188 and one year later, lost another $729. The company's first advertisement was published in January 1932 in QST Magazine. Two months later, the second advertisement was published and the company was now referred to as "Collins Radio Transmitters." It would be another 18 months before Arthur Collins incorporated and renamed his company, "Collins Radio Company." 50 years ago – 1957 Fiscal year 1957 was a time of enormous growth for our company. Employment stood at 10,092, our reported net earnings for the fiscal year, which ended in July, was $2.7 million, and our reported sales were $124 million. Fifty years ago, communication took place on large radios such as the KWM-1 (pictured inside this vehicle), which was the first Single-Sideband transceiver. Rockwell Collins image It also was a time of significant technical innovation as Art Collins continued to lead the development of High Frequency (HF) Single-Sideband (SSB) technologies, which provided a more efficient means of communication. This effort included the introduction of the KWM-1, which was the first SSB transceiver and the introduction of the first HF Log Periodic Antennas. Transistors were just being introduced into the Collins equipment line. The Cold War was in full swing and Collins products and systems were in the thick of it. For instance, a record-setting B-52 flight around the world took place using a Collins-equipped HF SSB network. Collins Trans-Horizons Scatter Communication Systems were used in remote, undeveloped regions of the world, and Collins communications equipment linked the sites of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, which spread across the far northern latitudes of Alaska and Canada. 25 years ago – 1982 America's return to manned space flight for the first time since the Apollo and Space Lab missions of the early 1970s was capturing headlines around the world. Rockwell International was the prime contractor for the space shuttle, and the Columbia was the first to fly a science experiment package. Rockwell also signed a $2.2 billion contract with the U.S. Air Force in 1982, for full scale development and initial production of the B-1B bomber. Predictions at the time were that nearly 58,000 people across 3,000 companies would work on the program during its peak. The program included key communication and navigation systems from the Collins Radio divisions of Rockwell International. Planning was under way for an enterprise-wide open house to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Collins Radio Company in 1983. Also in 1982, the Aerospace & Electronics Systems Society (AESS) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) presented Arthur Collins with its Pioneer Award for contributions in the area of voice and data radio communications and electronics. 10 years ago – 1997 Now known as Rockwell Collins, our commercial and government avionics activities were integrated into one large business to address the total avionics and communication market segments worldwide. This effort resulted in higher revenues and expanded market share. The environment for this business was expected to be very strong for the foreseeable future. In commercial avionics, our company was benefiting from the explosive growth in air travel, which was creating a need for new aircraft and the retrofit of older airplanes. Rockwell Collins continued to dominate the high performance Global Positioning Systems (GPS) marketplace. In fact, our company delivered the 100,000th Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver (PLGR) in 1997. Continuing along the growth path, Rockwell Collins also entered the in-flight entertainment market segment with the December acquisition of the former Hughes-Avicom. A technology first also took place this year with the introduction of the world's first Java-embedded microprocessor. 5 years ago – 2002 The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks caused a sudden drop in the commercial aviation marketplace just two months after Rockwell Collins began trading as an independent company in July 2001. This had a tremendous impact on the Commercial Systems side of our business. The Government Systems sector of our business, however, was witnessing a modest increase, and our company was on track toward achieving $2.5 billion in sales for fiscal year 2002, which was 12 percent less than the previous year. Rockwell Collins' diversification plan began with the acquisitions of Communication Solutions, Inc., in March and Airshow, Inc., in August. Our company now has facilities in 45 domestic locations and 30 international sites. -- Information compiled by longtime Rockwell Collins employee Rod Blocksome, who is a principal electrical engineer in Government Systems. This issue's banner features the following images (from left): Arthur Collins' boyhood home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; a KWM-1 radio; a Collins Radio Company catalog circa 1957.