New Exhibits Depict Timken Company's First 100 Years
8 February 1999
New Exhibits Depict Timken Company's First 100 Years
CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 8 -- Fitting one hundred years of history
into one display is not easy. But with the help of Downing Displays in
Copley, Ohio, The Timken Company has created three large, walk-
through displays for its Centennial commemoration that make company history
come to life.
"In brainstorming sessions with Downing, we emphasized the importance of
the display being a faithful historic depiction as well as artistic, eye-
catching and intriguing," said Liz Smith, manager-corporate and financial
communications, who is spearheading the Centennial efforts. "It was
imperative that the display serve as a symbol of the Centennial celebration."
The resulting three displays are similar in content, but different in
size. Two displays measure 60-feet by 90-feet and another is 120-feet by 120-
feet. Each includes products, memorabilia and more than 400 photos and
graphic images. Large panels featuring a collage of images from different
eras in the company's 100-year history are intertwined with a display of
memorabilia from the company's archives and on loan from Timken associates and
retirees.
Life-sized cutout photos of the associate-restored 1904 St. Louis car and
the Timken-sponsored CART race car contrast past and present uses of Timken
bearings. Classic Timken advertisements also are spotlighted.
"It's important to keep in mind the importance of our products in the
lives of people throughout the world," said W. R. Timken, Jr., chairman,
president and chief executive officer. "The Centennial exhibits serve as an
excellent reminder. Think back 100 years. Life for most people was difficult
and the tapered roller bearing has helped make possible modern airplanes,
cars, trucks, trains, medical instruments -- all developments that have
improved standards of living."
A centerpiece of the display is a large bearing-shaped module with
realistic-looking rollers that contain images representing each market segment
Timken serves. "The rollers include bearing application graphics from the
agricultural, aerospace, automotive, construction, industrial, railroad and
specialty tooling industries," said Jeff Drake, Downing's senior industrial
designer/project manager. "There also are graphics representing the
steelmaking process. The roller-shaped panels create an interesting and fun
design element."
To emphasize the company's international presence, kiosks show Timken
associates and facilities from around the world and a large global graphic at
the rear of the display includes the flags of the 25 countries in which Timken
has facilities. Also included are nature-related photos that portray the
company's commitment to the environment.
The three displays will be traveling separately throughout the world to
numerous Timken Company locations, including many cities in the U.S., Europe,
Canada, Brazil, India and South Africa.
The first U.S. viewing of the display was held at the Canton Community
Dinner on Feb. 4 at the Canton Cultural Center for the Arts. It will remain
available for public viewing at the Cultural Center until the end of February.
"The size, complexity and significance of The Timken Company's Centennial
display can be fully understood only by viewing it," said Liz Smith. "It not
only represents the history of Timken, but also shows its international
impact. The display has it all -- products, memorabilia, history and -- most
importantly -- the people who have played such an important role in the first
100 years of The Timken Company."
The Timken Company (http://www.timken.com) is a leading international
manufacturer of highly engineered bearings and alloy steels with operations in
25 countries. The company employs 21,000 people worldwide and reported 1998
sales of more than $2.6 billion.