During World War Two, my grandfather Gus Martens worked as Traffic Manager for the Edo Aircraft Corp. in College Point, New York (in the Borough of Queens, NY).
Edo specialized in manufacturing attachable float-gear for converting land-based aircraft into seaplanes. Gus, noticeably taller than his co-workers, stands near center.
Edo had its own sports teams . . .
Any descendants of Ms. Burke out there? Please email me!
Edo employees had their own swing band . . .
. . . and beauty contests. If you think company beauty contests are a bit outdated today . . .. . .
Edo employees also put on MINSTREL SHOWS!!
Yep, right here in College Point, NY! Gustave, seated behind the microphone
at center, served as Master of Ceremonies.
Production quotas drivin' ya nuts?
Accountants transferring to new quarters were as newsworthy as anything else.
EDO not only had a weekly newsletter, they also had . . .
. . . a monthly magazine! Some more covers below:
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A few portraits of company personnel.
Below are two exerpts from the EDO PUBLICITY FILM,
which was filmed at the College Point plant, in color, during the war. Gustave
makes no featured appearance, but he might be spotted somewhere in the crowd
scenes. No, there aren't any minstrel shows in this movie!
You can view more exerpts at my
YouTube Channel.
And, like many patriotic Americans, he served in the Civilian Defence Corps.
"TURN OUT THOSE LIGHTS!!"
Today the Edo Aircraft Co. and it's facilities in College Point are long gone, but its descendant The Edo Corporation is doing just fine in Salt Lake City.
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