Molly Ayala
Robert C. Sprague founded Sprague Electric Company, an electronic component maker, in 1926. The company flourished during the Cold War and the Space Race due to its reputation and experience in building military components. Sprague Electric was eventually sold by its last owner, Penn Central, in the early 1990s. However, there was another Sprague Electric company founded by Frank J. Sprague, Robert C. Sprague's father, in 1884. This company focused on electric railways and motors and was sold to Edison in 1890. Frank J. Sprague then founded the Sprague Electric Elevator Company in 1892, which he sold to the Otis Elevator Company in 1895.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the company | Sprague Electric Elevator Company |
| Founder | Frank J. Sprague |
| Year founded | 1892 |
| Co-founder | Charles R. Pratt |
| Product | Sprague-Pratt Electric Elevator |
| Year sold | 1895 |
| Buyer | Otis Elevator Company |
| Previous buyer | Edison General Electric Company |
| Year of previous sale | 1890 |
| Name of company after sale | Sprague Specialty Products |
| Year of name change | 1942 |
| Year of final sale | Early 1990s |
| Final buyer | Penn Central |
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What You'll Learn
Robert C. Sprague founded Sprague Electric in 1926
Sprague Electric was an electronic component maker founded by Robert C. Sprague in 1926. The company's core "Midget" capacitor served as the foundation of what became one of the world's most successful electronic component suppliers. By the mid-1930s, Sprague had become a recommended source for capacitors by radio manufacturers and radio repair services.
In 1929, seeking additional space and labour for its growing consumer-oriented capacitor lines, Sprague Electric expanded and moved to North Adams, Massachusetts. During World War II, the company fabricated products such as gas masks for civilian distribution and casings for incendiary bombs. After the war, Sprague Electric retooled for the commercial and industrial products market, and its capacitors and resistive products became a widely known brand name.
Sprague Electric flourished during the Cold War and the Space Race due to its reputation and experience in building military components. By 1954, most of the company's sales and profits were from the TV and radio markets, with military product sales in second place. By 1966, sales of Sprague Electric products had reached $100 million, and the workforce had grown to over 12,000 people. However, this rapid expansion kept profits down and did not significantly impact wages, benefits, and working conditions.
In March 1970, a major labour strike affected all areas of the company and lasted for 10 weeks. While the strike was settled by a federal mediator, it had a negative impact on the company's future, and Robert C. Sprague retired as chief executive shortly thereafter.
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Sprague Electric was sold in the early 1990s
Sprague Electric was sold off in pieces in the early 1990s by its last owner, Penn Central. The company was founded by Robert C. Sprague in 1926 as Sprague Specialties Company, with $25,000 of his savings. The company was based in his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. The company's name was changed to Sprague Electric in 1942 and remained so until it was sold in the 1990s.
The Sprague Electric Company was an electronic component maker. Its founder, Robert C. Sprague, was the son of Frank J. Sprague, the father of electric railroads and contributor to safety control technologies. Sprague Electric capacitors and resistive products became a widely known brand name. The company flourished during the Cold War and the Space Race due to its experience in building military components.
The company's founder, Robert C. Sprague, tried to bridge the gap between the employees and the business through the publication of the Sprague Log. This newsletter was used to bring management and workers closer and to maintain morale after the workers were forced to take a 10% pay cut. The Sprague Log was divided into two sections. The first section discussed company accomplishments, achievements, and employee loyalty, often spotlighting individuals. The second section contained employee announcements, such as births, weddings, social activities, and other family events.
As the company grew, it expanded through external partnerships. However, this rapid expansion kept profits down and did not significantly impact wages, benefits, and working conditions. In March 1970, a major labour strike affected all areas of the company, lasting 10 weeks and ultimately settled by a federal mediator. Following the strike, Robert C. Sprague retired as chief executive and was succeeded by Neal W.
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Robert C. Sprague retired after the 1970 labour strike
Robert C. Sprague founded Sprague Electric (originally Sprague Specialties Company) in 1926 and served as president from 1926 to 1953 and chief executive from 1953 to 1971. The company was an electronic component maker and was best known for its large line of capacitors used in a wide variety of electrical and electronic applications. By 1966, sales of Sprague Electric products were $100 million, and the workforce had increased to over 12,000.
However, in March 1970, a major labour strike began that affected all areas of the company. More than 2,000 blue- and white-collar workers in North Adams participated in the 10-week strike, demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Despite the relatively cordial relations between management and labour, the strike marked a turning point in the company's history. Robert C. Sprague himself made frequent appearances on the picket line and even walked through the middle of the picket lines at least four times daily. He also tried to influence the media narrative by leveraging his relationship with Jim Hardman, the editor of the Transcript.
The strike was ultimately settled by a federal mediator, and while Robert C. Sprague and the union representatives shook hands after the settlement, the results had a negative impact on the company's future. Sprague Electric was forced to make cuts to minimize costs, including reducing the labour force and shuttering some of its North Adams operations. Employee morale suffered, and the company's newsletter, the Sprague Log, reflected this decline, with publication decreasing to twice a year and then ceasing altogether in 1978.
As a result of the strike and its aftermath, Robert C. Sprague retired as chief executive at the end of 1970 and was succeeded by Neal W. Welch. The stability and job security that Sprague Electric once provided began to unravel, and the company's departure from North Adams in the early 1980s represented a significant transition for the city.
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Sprague Electric flourished during the Cold War
Sprague Electric, an electronic component maker founded by Robert C. Sprague in 1926, flourished during the Cold War due to its experience in manufacturing military components. The company's products were used in a wide range of electrical and electronic applications, including commercial, industrial, and military/space sectors.
During World War II, Sprague Electric contributed significantly to the war effort by manufacturing the variable timing proximity fuse, an essential component in bombs and artillery shells that enhanced their destructive power. This involvement in the war bolstered the company's reputation and positioned it at the forefront of the burgeoning American electronic business.
Following the Second World War, Sprague Electric pivoted towards the commercial and industrial products market. The company's capacitors and resistive products became widely recognised, with radio and television manufacturers like RCA, Zenith, and Philco incorporating them into their devices. Additionally, Sprague Electric's products were readily available in stores selling electronic parts, further cementing their presence in the consumer market.
However, despite the significant sales and profits generated from the TV and radio markets, Sprague Electric continued to supply military components during the Cold War. The company's experience and reputation in this domain, coupled with its involvement in the Space Race, contributed to its prosperity during this period of geopolitical tension.
By 1966, Sprague Electric's sales had reached $100 million, and its workforce had expanded to over 12,000 employees. This growth led to management reorganisation and external partnerships. However, the rapid expansion also presented challenges, as profits remained stagnant, and wages, benefits, and working conditions did not significantly improve. These factors culminated in a major labour strike in March 1970, which lasted for 10 weeks and marked the end of Robert C. Sprague's tenure as chief executive.
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Sprague Electric capacitors were widely used in radios
The Sprague Electric Company, founded by Robert C. Sprague in 1926, was a prominent manufacturer of electronic components, including a diverse range of capacitors. These capacitors found widespread application in radios, among other electrical devices. By the mid-1930s, Sprague Electric had established itself as a recommended source for capacitors by radio manufacturers and repair specialists. The company's capacitors were recognised for their role in noise filtering, signal coupling, and tone control within radios.
Sprague Electric's capacitors were integral to the functioning of radios due to their ability to store electrical charge temporarily. This capability facilitated the smooth operation of radios by ensuring a consistent flow of electricity, enhancing audio quality, and minimising static interference. The capacitors' design typically consisted of two pieces of metal foil separated by insulating material such as wax paper. The choice of insulating material was crucial, as it determined the capacitor's capacitance and maximum voltage capacity.
Following the Second World War, Sprague Electric adapted its operations to cater to the commercial and industrial markets. This strategic shift solidified the brand's reputation, and their capacitors became a staple in radio manufacturing. Radio producers like RCA, Zenith, and Philco favoured Sprague Electric capacitors for their reliability and performance. The company's products were readily available in electronic parts stores, making them accessible to both large-scale manufacturers and hobbyists assembling or repairing radios.
Sprague Electric's capacitors were not limited to radios alone; they also found their way into television sets and various electronic devices. The company expanded its manufacturing capabilities, establishing plants in multiple states, including North Carolina, New Hampshire, Vermont, and California, by 1960. This expansion reflected the growing demand for their capacitors and other electronic components. The company's sales figures further emphasised its success, reaching $100 million by 1966, accompanied by a workforce of over 12,000 employees.
Sprague Electric's capacitors played a pivotal role in the evolution of radio technology during the 20th century. The company's expertise in capacitor design and manufacturing ensured that their products were at the forefront of the radio industry, contributing to the reliable performance and functionality of radios during that era. While Sprague Electric's impact extended beyond radios, its capacitors undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the history of radio technology.
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Frequently asked questions
R.C. Sprague, or Robert C. Sprague, never sold Sprague Electric. The company remained under his ownership until the early 1990s when its last owner, Penn Central, began selling off pieces of its Sprague division.
Yes, Robert C. Sprague's father was Frank J. Sprague, an electrical inventor known as the
Frank J. Sprague invented the world's first successful electric street railway system and founded the Sprague Electric Elevator Company, which he later sold to the Otis Elevator Company.
Frank J. Sprague sold the Sprague Electric Elevator Company to the Otis Elevator Company in 1895.
