And Ray Green, a young engineer with an avid interest in crystal oscillators, would shortly make a decision that would change his life forever.
Green had worked on quartz crystals and quartz crystal oscillator design at two Pennsylvania-based companies, Hunt Corp. in Carlisle and Hill Electronics in Mechanicsburg. Green’s knowledge of oscillator design, coupled with a keen entrepreneurial spirit and a vision of what could be, led to his decision to start his own business. Green’s first order was for 100 R-C oscillators – built right in the basement of his house.
Contemplating a name for his growing enterprise, Ray turned his first and last names around and, in 1961, “Greenray Industries” was officially up and running. Having outgrown the basement production area, the company relocated to a building in Mechanicsburg, PA on Simpson Road. This would come to be affectionately referred to as the “chicken coop” – but it was a place to start.
In a few short years, continued growth prompted a move to a larger building at 1106 East Simpson Road. And in 1966, with the support of financial partners, the company obtained a plot on West Church Road and a new building was constructed. That building is still used by the company today.
New markets, changing customer needs and design and manufacturing innovation have all combined to shape Greenray Industries’ focus and growth as a company over the years. But one thing remains the same – we’re still producing crystal oscillators. Even though they might look a little different than they did in 1961.
