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John Bucheimer Papers,
1954-1977 |
Extent and Forms of Material: 4 cubic feet (11 boxes, 21
reels of film; 4 oversize folders; samples of ski sections)
Creator: John Bucheimer
Abstract: Papers relate to John Bucheimer’s work as manager
of new product manufacturing in the Engineering Department at Head Ski Company.
Repository: Archives Center, National Museum of American History,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. archivescenter@si.edu
202-633-3270
www.americanhistory.si.edu/archives
Collection Number: AC0889
Processing Note: Processed by Alison Oswald, 2006.
© 2006 by the Smithsonian Institution. All rights reserved.
Information for users of
the collection
Conditions Governing Access: The collection
is open for research use. Series 7, Moving Images, is unprocessed;
see repository for details.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use: Copyright
held by the Smithsonian Institution. Collection items available
for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees
concerning copyright restrictions. Reproduction permission from
Archives Center: fees for commercial use.
Preferred Citation: [Title and date of item],
John Bucheimer Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American
History, box number X, folder number XX, digital file number XXXXXXXX
In-depth information about the collection
- Administrative/biographical history
Scope and content
System of arrangement
Acquisition information
Appraisal and Selection Information
Related archival materials
Related artifacts
Access points
Container listing
John Bucheimer was born on December 7, 1919. During the 1940s,
he worked with Howard Head at Glenn L. Martin Company, an aircraft
company founded by aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin (1886-1955)
in Middle River, Maryland. At Martin, Bucheimer supervised work
on planes and oversaw structural testing. Primarily self taught,
he learned electronics and drafting skills on the job. Head left
the Glenn L. Martin Company to start his own company, Head Ski
Company in 1948, and Bucheimer joined him.
Head, a former aircraft engineer, developed, designed, manufactured,
and marketed the first metal laminate skis in 1950 called the
“Head Standard. These skis revolutionized the industry.
They were made of two layers of aluminum bonded around a core
of plywood at very high pressure; the outer layer was made of
plastic. By 1952, Head introduced skis with edges made of tempered
steel. His skis were lighter and faster than wood and earned the
nickname “cheaters” by the industry. In 1969, Head
introduced a fiberglass/metal ski, but this ski combined with
a diversified product line of javelin and aluminum tennis rackets
could not strengthen his company nor stop a takeover by AMF in
1970.
At Head Ski Company, Bucheimer held the position of manager of
new products manufacturing. He trained employees on every aspect
of work flow.
These records were assembled and saved by John Bucheimer in conjunction
with his work at Head Ski Company. The bulk of the records relates
to engineering matters and detail how the skis were manufactured.
The records also provide insight into the daily operations and
activities of the Head Ski Company factory.
Series 1, Operational Records, 1967-1973, include
an organizational chart, company and management profile, annual
reports, inter office correspondence, memoranda, management notes,
the Management News Bulletin, and plant information. The organizational
chart of 1969 provides the job title and name of the employee
for specific positions within Head Ski Company, Head Ski and Sportswear,
American Athletic Equipment, Wayne Plastics, Wing Archery, and
Head International AG.
This series contains the Management News Bulletin, 1967-1970.
An internal communication from the president, the news bulletin
provided a forum for announcements, resignations, work plans,
reorganizations, organizational charts, employee changes, and
general work flow issues. While small in size, the content is
rich for getting a sense of the management style at Head Ski Company.
The management notes, 1968-1971, are handwritten by Bucheimer
and contain information on training, responsibilities, manufacturing
expenses, production schedules, regional sales meetings, and job
postings. There are a few management pamphlets published by the
Economic Press, Inc. These pamphlets provided “tips”
to managers. Also, the management notes contain two union fliers
addressing the issue of union dues. Both fliers urge employees
to “keep your take home pay free from Union dues. Vote no
union.” Other materials include inventories of office surplus
and plant information. There are instructions of how to conduct
a tour of the plant and ADT protective service documentation.
Bucheimer was the designated ADT card holder for the company.
Series 2, Employee Records, 1957-1973, consist
of employee handbooks and insurance materials, a job description
for manager of manufacturing projects, and vacation schedules
for several employees. Some salary information is here.
Series 3, Marketing/Sales Records, 1969-1972,
includes one catalog from 1972, three news releases, sales information,
and ski show and shipment information. The ski show materials
document specific shows—Canada, Chicago, Los Angeles, and
New York—and the ski models displayed and, in some instances,
orders placed. The special shipments, 1969-1971, include invoices,
correspondence, notes, and material move tickets for companies
such as Cell Pack, Ltd., Standard Metalwerke, Dura Fiber Corp.,
and United Shoe Machinery Corp.
Series 4, Financial/Accounting Records, 1967-1971,
contains reports, inventories, expenses, and some payroll information.
The majority of these records date from September 1969 to October
of 1969. The expense statements reveal how much was budgeted and
spent for materials, direct labor, payroll taxes, Christmas bonuses,
travel, postage, maintenance, and ski parts, to name a few categories.
There is some payroll information with the payroll control sheets.
Series 5, Engineering/Manufacturing Records, 1956-1977,
comprise the largest and richest series within the collection.
The records are subdivided into seven subseries: inventories,
instructions, repair information, reports, drawings and specifications,
testing information, and miscellaneous.
The inventories provide valuable information on the types of
materials used, the quantities, and in some instances the cost.
The raw material inventory of 1967 details material types (e.g.
glue, plywood, aluminum, poles, saw blades), account numbers,
date, quantity, price and actual cost. Like the raw material inventory,
the perpetual inventory of 1966 is divided according to material
type (e.g. aluminum, plastic, cloth tape, wood, rubber, steel)
unit measure (typically in pounds), conversion factor, dates,
and a balance amount.
The instructions include detailed information on “how to”
for a variety of operations such as aluminum sandblasting bottom
ski skin assembly, degreasing nosepieces, and sanding, gluing,
and cutting “L” steel edges. The instructions consist
of a workplace layout diagram, tools needed, and step by-step
instruction elements. Of note is the material flow processes for
the company. There are flow charts for each operational sequence
performed. There are photographs of equipment with the flow charts,
but they are not keyed to specific operational tasks.
The repair information contains procedures and lists of parts
for skis. The repair procedures describe the repair needed and
what model ski is affected. A detailed description of the repair
is documented along with the materials required, tools, and how
effective the repair was. The repairs documented here include
finishing, grinding, bottom waxing, replacing edges, inlays, and
remolding. The company had a program titled “rework”
that handled returned skis. Many of the skis documented appear
to have had cavity problems and were sent back to be remolded.
There is some ski rejection analysis documentation citing why
skis are being sent to the rework program. Additional information
on cavity problems and production is also here. The parts list,
1969-1970, details various parts used on ski models JR-90, JR-60,
720-TA, 320-W, 240-B, K-short ski, deep powder-DP, Giant Slalom,
slalom, 360-AR, 320-E and the downhill models. The part number
and name, quantity, and any remarks are provided.
The reports, logs, and notes subseries contain manufacturing
and production notes, and a variety of reports documenting engineering
department activities. The inter-shift reports, 1963-1967, were
maintained in spiral bound shorthand notebooks. They detail daily
activities, operational suggestions, reminders to staff, materials
available, and what work needs to be completed. Other reports
include accidents, 1958-1961, and quality control reports, 1970-1971,
which were created daily to provide detailed information on all
aspects of the skis at final inspection time. The number of skis
inspected with percentage information is summarized. The non-conforming
material recovery reports, 1970, give the reasons why skis were
rejected and indicate if skis were returned to vendors or used
“as is.”
The drawings and specifications, 1964-1970, are comprised of
oversize drawings ranging from 8” x 10” to 34”
x 43 _”. The drawings are copies and include information
on the short, slalom, giant slalom, downhill, and deep powder
skis. The finished ski specifications, 1964-1967, document material
types, assembly and subassembly procedures, ski data, ski poles,
packaging material, and miscellaneous material. For each specification
there is a corresponding instruction/narrative and, in some instances,
a drawing.
The testing documentation is material specific (rubber, steel,
plastic, adhesives) or ski model specific. It provides some insight
into what materials the company worked with and under what conditions,
such as, pulling, heating, or actual pilot ski runs. The suppliers,
1971-1973, include forms, receipts, bills, invoices, correspondence,
receiving tickets, and descriptive inventories from companies
that Head Ski Co. purchased supplies from.
Series 6, The General Files, 1954-1977, cover
a variety of miscellaneous topics, such as the National Ski Patrol
and postage, and are arranged alphabetically.
Series 7, Moving Image, no date, consists of
twenty-one reels of 16 mm film which are unprocessed.
Series 8, Personal Materials, circa 1960s, contain
greeting cards and notes and a photograph of Bucheimer with Howard
Head.
- Series 1: Operational Records, 1967-1973
- Series 2: Employee Records, 1957-1973
- Series 3: Marketing/Sales Records, 1969-1972
- Series 4: Financial/Accounting Records,
1967-1971
- Series 5: Engineering/Manufacturing Records,
1956-1977
- Subseries A, Inventories, 1966-1971
Subseries B, Instructions, 1967-1970
Subseries C, Repair Information, 1969-1971
Subseries D, Reports, logs, and notes, 1956-1971
Subseries E, Drawings and Specifications, 1964-1970
Subseries F, Testing Information, 1963-1970
Subseries G, Miscellaneous, 1967-1973
- Series 6: General Files, 1954-1977
Series 7: Moving Image, no date
Series 8: Personal Materials, circa 1960s
This collection was donated by John Bucheimer on April 26, 2005.
Duplicate materials were separated at time of processing.
Howard Head Papers, 1926-1991, Archives Center, National Museum
of American History.
The Division of Music, Sports, and Entertainment holds artifacts
related to the Howard Head Papers. These artifacts include downhill
skis, ski poles, ski boots, ski bindings, and cross sections of
downhill skis.
Subjects/Topical:
Sporting goods industry
Skis and skiing
Subjects/Names:
Head Ski Company
Head, Howard
Form/Genre:
Drawings
Film
Correspondence
Blueprints
Business records
Engineering records
Financial records
| Box |
Folder |
|
| |
|
SERIES 1: OPERATIONAL
RECORDS, 1967-1973 |
| 1 |
1 |
Organizational chart, 1969 |
| |
2 |
Company profile, 1967 |
| |
3 |
Management profile, 1968 |
| |
4 |
Annual reports, 1968-1969 |
| |
5 |
Interoffice correspondence, 1971-1972 |
| |
6 |
Memos, 1967-1970 |
| |
7 |
Management News Bulletin, 1967-1970 |
| |
8 |
Management notes, 1968, 1969 |
| |
9 |
Management notes, 1970 |
| |
10 |
Management notes, 1971 |
| |
11 |
Inventory, 1972 |
| |
12 |
Office surplus list for Timonium, Maryland office,
1971-1972 |
| |
13 |
Statistical Control Department Inventory Transaction
Procedures, 1964-1965 |
| |
14 |
Plant Tour guide, [1969?] |
| |
15 |
Plant Security ADT Electric Protection Services,
1968-1973 |
| |
|
SERIES
2: EMPLOYEE RECORDS, 1957-1973 |
| 2 |
1 |
Employee handbook and insurance information,
1957-1972 (not inclusive) |
| |
2 |
Job descriptions, no date |
| |
3 |
Vacation schedules, 1969, 1971 |
| |
|
SERIES
3: MARKETING/SALES RECORDS, 1969-1972 |
| |
4 |
Catalog, 1972 |
| |
5 |
News releases, no date |
| |
6 |
Sales and disbursements for Head Ski Co. in
Boulder, CO, 1972 |
| |
7 |
Final sales for Head Ski Co. in Timonium, MD,
1973 |
| |
8 |
Sales information, September 1972-December 1972 |
| |
9 |
Bids on non-capital items, 1972 |
| |
10 |
Ski shows (Canada, Chicago, Los Angeles, and
New York), 1969 |
| |
11 |
Ski show order, 1969-1971 |
| |
12 |
Ski show paint/silk screen, no date |
| |
13 |
Special shipments, 1969-1971 |
| |
14 |
Shipment to J.F. Cowan Association, 1969 |
| |
15 |
Shipment of cut sections of skis, 1971 |
| |
16 |
Ski Division give away order, 1970 |
| |
|
SERIES
4: FINANCIAL/ACCOUNTING RECORDS, 1967-1971 |
| 4 |
1 |
Composite Reports, October 11, 1969 |
| |
2 |
Detail List Inventory "A September 13, 1969 |
| |
3 |
Expense statements, September 13, 1969 |
| |
4 |
Materials price variance report, September 13,
1969 |
| |
5 |
Materials price variance report, October 11,
1969 |
| |
6 |
Unmatched accounts payable, September 13, 1969 |
| |
7 |
Finished goods inventory count, September 13,
1969 |
| |
8 |
Finished goods inventory count, October 11,
1969 |
| |
9 |
Finished goods inventory evaluation, September
13, 1969 |
| 5 |
1 |
Finished goods inventory evaluation, October
11, 1969 |
| |
2 |
Finished goods weekly stock status, October
11, 1969 |
| |
3 |
Raw materials and manufacturing supplies inventory
evaluation, September 12, 1969 |
| |
4 |
Raw materials and manufacturing supplies inventory
evaluation, October 11, 1969 |
| |
5 |
Raw materials and manufacturing supplies, receipts
and returns recap, September 12, 1969 |
| |
6 |
Value of raw materials and manufacturing supplies,
receipts and returns reports, September 12, 1969 |
| |
7 |
Value of raw materials and manufacturing supplies,
receipts and returns reports, October 11, 1969 |
| |
8 |
Unidentified, 1968 |
| 2 |
17 |
Fixed assets-special tool and fixture supply
and machine tool surplus, 1971 |
| |
18 |
Payroll control sheets, March 10, 1967-August
23, 1969 |
| |
19 |
Securities and Exchange Commission registration
statement, 1968 |
| 3 |
1 |
Voucher control sheets, March 1, 1967-October
10, 1967 |
| |
2 |
Voucher control sheets, October 13, 1967-September
6, 1968 |
| |
3 |
Voucher control sheets, September 9, 1968-December
10, 1968 |
| |
|
SERIES
5: ENGINEERING/MANUFACTURING RECORDS, 1956-1977 |
| |
|
Subseries A: Inventories, 1966-1971 |
| |
4-7 |
Raw material inventory, 1967 |
| |
8 |
Perpetual inventory, 1966-1967 |
| 6 |
1 |
Perpetual inventory, 1966-1967 |
| |
2 |
Material move tickets, 1969-September 1970 |
| |
3 |
Material move tickets, October 1970-November
1970 |
| |
4 |
Scrap inventory, 1970 |
| |
5 |
Miscellaneous inventory transfers, 1970 |
| |
6 |
Miscellaneous inventories, 1970-1971 |
| |
|
Subseries B: Instructions, 1967-1970 |
| |
7 |
Material flow process (includes photographs),
1968 |
| |
8 |
Standard operation instructions, August 1967-September
1967 |
| |
9 |
Standard operation instructions, October 1967 |
| |
10 |
Standard operation instructions, November 1967
and no date |
| |
11 |
Operational breakdown for HRP 100, 1970 |
| |
12 |
Binding instructions, no date |
| |
|
Subseries C: Repair Information, 1969-1971 |
| 7 |
1 |
Repair procedure forms, no date |
| |
2 |
Repair procedures, 1969 |
| |
3-4 |
Repair procedures, 1969-1971 |
| |
5 |
Parts list for skis, 1969-1970 |
| |
6 |
Parts list for skis, 1970 |
| |
7 |
Parts list for skis, 1971 |
| |
8 |
Change notices, 1970 |
| |
9 |
Log of rework skis out, 1969 |
| |
10 |
Rework information, 1969 |
| |
11 |
Recovery (rework) information, 1969-1970 |
| |
12 |
Skis sent back to rework, 1969 |
| |
13 |
Rework on the Killy 800 ski, 1969-1971 |
| |
14 |
Material recovery program, 1969-1970 |
| |
15 |
Cavity problems, 1967 |
| |
16 |
Cavity production, 1969 |
| 8 |
1 |
New product cavities, 1969 |
| |
2 |
Cavity program (GS 800/AR 800 model), 1970 |
| |
3 |
New cavity program (203 GS Killy model), 1970 |
| |
|
Subseries D: Reports, logs, and notes,
1956-1971 |
| |
4 |
Manufacturing and productions notes, 1967-1971
|
| |
5 |
Memorandum, 1969-1970 |
| |
6 |
Daily log, 1956 |
| |
7 |
Intershift reports, January 17, 1964-May 8,
1965 |
| |
8 |
Intershift reports, April 24, 1963-September
8, 1964 |
| |
9 |
Intershift reports, September 8, 1964-April
30, 1965 |
| |
10 |
Intershift reports, September 3, 1965-March
13, 1967 |
| 9 |
1 |
Accident reports (1st and 2nd shifts), 1958-1961 |
| |
2 |
Paint log, 1970 |
| |
3 |
Nonconforming material reports, 1970 |
| |
4 |
Quality control reports, 1970-1971 |
| |
5 |
Weekly man hour report, no date |
| |
6 |
Unidentified log book, no date |
| |
|
Subseries E: Drawings and Specifications,
1964-1970 |
| 9 |
7 |
Finished ski specifications, 1964-1967 |
| |
8 |
Special ski specifications, 1970 |
| |
9 |
pecifications for "L edge steel, 1970 |
| |
10 |
Specification deviation requests/authorizations,
1970 |
| |
OS/Folder 1 |
Miscellaneous specifications, 1968 |
| |
O/S Folder 2 |
Subassembly and assembly molding, 1967-1968 |
| |
O/S Folder 3 |
Ski details, 1967-1968 |
| |
O/S Folder 4 |
Drawings of finished skis, 1970 |
| |
|
Subseries F: Testing Information, 1963-1970 |
| 9 |
11 |
Cyclized rubber, 1970 |
| |
12 |
Flexible steel, 1969 |
| |
13 |
Formica plastic, 1969-1970 |
| |
14 |
Glue test data, 1963 |
| |
15 |
HSTM 105 bond test, no date |
| |
16 |
Model 240 ski, 1969-1970 |
| |
17 |
Neoprene and steel, 1970 |
| 10 |
1 |
Photovolt meter readings on red top plastic,
1970 |
| |
2 |
PTEX plug, no date |
| |
3 |
Photographs of general tests, no date |
| |
4 |
Steel bond, no date |
| |
|
Subseries G: Miscellaneous, 1967-1973 |
| |
5 |
Problem solving program, 1969-1970 |
| |
6 |
Productive and Non-Productive time sheets, 1967 |
| |
7 |
Shell epoxy, 1969-1970 |
| |
8 |
Shell molding, 1969 |
| |
9 |
Special tooling, 1969-1970 |
| |
10 |
Suppliers, 1971-1973 |
| |
11 |
V-2 film/M 373 bond master adhesive, 1967-1970 |
| |
|
SERIES
6: GENERAL FILES, 1954-1977 |
| |
12 |
Canadian materials returned, 1969 |
| |
13 |
Canadian ski information, 1967-1969 |
| |
14 |
Dictabelts of Jim Mitchell, no date |
| |
15 |
Killy ski 800, 1970-1971 |
| |
16 |
National Ski Patrol serial numbers, 1970 |
| |
17 |
Photo and Print Shop Department, 1969 |
| |
18 |
Postage meter reading, 1971 |
| |
19 |
Rubber and Asbestos Corp., 1954-1956 |
| |
20 |
Safety Committee, 1967 |
| |
21 |
Tennis line for Head Ski Co., Inc., 1969-1977 |
| |
|
SERIES
7: MOVING IMAGE, NO DATE |
| |
OF 889.1-21 |
|
| |
|
SERIES
8: PERSONAL MATERIALS, CIRCA 1960s |
| 10 |
22 |
Greeting cards and notes, no date |
| |
23 |
Photograph: From left to right, Howard Head,
John Bucheimer and two unidentified men, circa 1960s |
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