Shure’s worldwide reputation for quality and reliability may be traced back to 1940s when we produced communication devices for the Allied Forces. Meeting “Mil-Spec” (Military Specifications) was only the first step to being considered one of the best manufacturers during World War II.
The U.S. Military celebrated outstanding materiel suppliers by the presentation of the Army-Navy “Excellence in Production” awards. Shure Brothers Company won this Army-Navy “E” Award three times.
To understand the “E” Award’s historical significance, please read the following:
THE ARMY-NAVY “E” AWARD PROGRAM
WAR DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
DECEMBER 5, 1945
War workers in 4,283 of the nation’s top-flight war production facilities earned the Army-Navy “E” Award for their part in the defeat of the Axis Powers. Representing only 5% of the estimated war plants in the nation, those plants ranged in size from a one-man plant to large corporations and included facilities that converted from peace to war production [Shure was an example], as well as plants built especially for war purposes.
The “E” Award was granted only to facilities which were particularly outstanding in production for the War Departments. Excellence in quality and quantity of production were two of the determining factors in granting Awards. Others included: a) overcoming of production obstacles; b) low rate of absenteeism; c) avoidance of work stoppages; d) maintenance of fair labor standards; e) training of additional labor forces; f) effective management; g) records on accidents, health, sanitation, and plant protection/security; h) utilization of sub-contracting facilities; i) cooperation between labor and management as it affected production; j) conservation of critical and strategic materials.
The final Awards were granted in August 1945. Plants which won the Award may continue flying the Army-Navy “E” Award Flag, and to make use of the Award insignia in their publicity and advertising. All employees who received the Army-Navy “E” Award pins may continue to wear them.
Every Shure employee received a lapel “E” pin as below. This pin shown below resides in the Shure Archives.
The following is from the May 1943 issue of “Radio” magazine.
Shure Brothers Awarded Army-Navy “E”
April 18, 1943, The Men and Women of Shure Brothers, Chicago, were awarded the Army-Navy “E” for high achievement in the production of war materials. The “E” Burgee (a flag or pennant) was presented to Mr. S.N. Shure, General Manager of Shure Brothers, by Lieutenant Colonel Nathan Boruszak. The presentation was made at Thorne Hall, Northwestern University. Additional Army and Navy men and women were at the rostrum. Presentation of the “E” pin was made by Lieutenant Commander George C. Norwood. Acceptance of the “E” pin was made by Marion De Block.
Master of Ceremonies was Jack Berman, Shure Sales Manager. Over eight hundred Shure workers and guests filled Thorne Hall to overflowing and participated in the presentation. It was the first “E” Award presented to an exclusive microphone manufacturer.
The Shure archive holds an “E” Award burgee.
Related information: Shure Battle Announce Microphones
WWII Military Products supplied by Shure
Arcana – mysterious or specialized knowledge
A burgee (burr-jee) is a swallow-tailed flag, often used by ships for signaling or identification.
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Mr. Shure presented an “E” Award certificate to every Shure employee.
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The first manufacturing “swing shift” at Shure was established in May 1942. Fifty employees worked from 4 pm to midnight producing T-17 microphones for the Allied Forces.
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In 1944, S.N. Shure stated: Today the human voice is a weapon of war. It guides the bombers – it directs the attack – it moves the tanks – it informs the artillery post – it commands the sea strategy. Proper communication is vital to victory and reliable microphones are vital to proper communication. We of Shure Brothers are engaged in making many such microphones for the Army, Navy, and Air Forces. Shure workers are important to all America.
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Below is a Shure ad during World War Two, March 1943.
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