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Introduction to the 5000-Series Oscilloscopes (view source)

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preamplifier that originally sold for $25 in 1971!  Ten years later, the price had
preamplifier that originally sold for $25 in 1971!  Ten years later, the price had
risen to $160.
risen to $160.
== History of the 5000 and subsequent series of instruments by [[Ahne Oosterhof]] ==
It was late 1969 when the low frequency scope group was about finished with the [[5030]] scopes (1969),
when [[Val Garutz]] and I prepared the product proposal for what first became to be called the LF-Scopes,
then the [[D10]]/[[5103N]] and finally the 5000-series.
The proposal went two or three times to the Engineering Council before it was accepted (Jan 1970).
The group was formed under leadership of [[Jerry Shannon]].
I had built a cardboard model of what we envisioned, half the scope for the CRT, etc.
and the other half for three plugins and power-supply, all within 5.25 inch height,
a standard height increment for 19” racks, and the mainframe with three plugins for less than $1000.
Above the plugins a strip of space was envisioned for plugin on/off switching, etc.
I remember [[Larry Weis]] walking by my bench suggesting that we should make the plug-ins maximum height
and build that switching functionality into the individual plugins.  Seemed like a good idea.
One year later (Jan 1971) with about 12 people on the project (EE, ME, manual, ecb)
we had two scopes and three plug-ins in production using several new manufacturing methods
and many new low-cost components. Almost by default I was working
as the lead person on the mainframes and [[Gary Vance]] performed that function for the plug-ins.
Throughout that project some big hurdles had to be overcome, e.g., using tin plated
rather than gold plated circuit boards, soldering active components in the board
rather than using sockets, using low cost open potentiometers rather than fully closed ones.
I had asked the mechanical designers under [[Bud Deibele]] to make the frame weak enough
that it would fail any shake, shock and transportation test.
Then make it a little stronger to barely pass those tests.
The pieces of the half frames were riveted together rather than bolted
and to ship an empty frame required a cardboard insert to prevent distortion of the frame in shipment.
All in the name of lowering costs.
In the assembly area kits for 10 plug-ins were issued to individual assemblers and after finishing these,
the assemblers tested those themselves which led to fewer assembly errors:
smoke or smells signal loudly that you have made a mistake!
Even though it took some effort to convince the manufacturing manager,
[[Al Peecher]], that it would work and he made it a go.
During the design phases Jerry suggested that we make many presentations
throughout the company to Area Representative groups.
That paid off big, because as people learned about our project and our challenges
they were more than willing to provide us with any help we needed.
As we reached the finish of the initial project we looked for product ideas for the future
and that kind of planning always was done as a group effort.
It led to dual beam scopes, additional storage scopes and various plug-ins,
etc. to extend the 5000 series.
We also had noticed that some customers bought display sections only,
to build those into their instrument systems. That became somewhat of a headache,
so we designed a power supply for the displays and turned that idea into a new line of monitors,
an extension of old the 600 series. That replaced the dormant [[601]] and [[602]] displays.
Soon after that we split the group into two business units, scopes and displays.
We also considered a ‘plug-in warmer’ (like in the 530/540 series)
but that was not really needed as the plugins were completely transistorized
and therefore immediately ready to be used. But it made us consider additional possibilities
like making a multi-meter and other measurement tools and signal source plug-ins.
Soon this turned into a lot more and became the TM500 series (1972?),
using the same design and construction methods as the 5000 series and this line became another separate business unit.
Each of these product lines were successful and stayed in the catalog for about 20 years.
Throughout all this Jerry Shannon encouraged a free flow of ideas;
nothing was out of bounds to be discussed and tried.
As an example, [[Matt Zimmerman]] in his spare times put together a transistor test plugin,
which became the [[5CT1N|5CT1]]. Throughout Jerry liked to take an opposing view of whatever anybody said.
He was willing and able to take any position on any subject from design to politics
and if you thought things were blue he would try to convince you they were red.
I expect he did this to make sure we were strong in our positions and opinions.
In doing so he taught us a lot about dealing with and managing people.
He made it clear to us that we were as design engineers and project leaders
standing in for the owners of the company, as we were making decisions, however small,
that impacted the health of the Corporation.
He also made it clear he expected us to make the right decision more than 80% of the time,
but did not expect 100%, as it would take too long to get there. Risk was allowed.
Yes, he guided us, but in a very unobtrusive way. He let us find our own way,
but was ready to clear a path when needed.  In my life I can think of only three people
who I consider my mentors: Professor Oostdijk from my college years,
teaching (forcing?) me to study, Professor [[Dwain Richins]] from the “Tek University”,
teaching me a lot about communicating clearly and in a precise way in the English language and Jerry Shannon.
He taught me a lot about managing people and taking care of unexpected situations.
In my second career, standing alone as entrepreneur/owner/general manager
of a company (A-Laser, Inc.) I have made a lot of use of their teachings.
A description of most of the 5000 series products with a timeline can be found in this website:
http://i9t.net/5000_scopes.html




[[Category:5000 series mainframes]]
[[Category:5000 series mainframes]]
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