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History of PLCs

John Pittwood
Hi,



The first PLCs were produced in the late 1960's early 70's. Starting in 1964 with a GM requirment document. The Modicon 084 dated 1968 was the first, unless you know better.



So one way or another we are reaching the 50th aniversery of these devices.



Since I finished on the C & A executive I have become involved with the IET History of Technology TPN and I am writting a paper on the introduction and developement of PLCs.



Having started work with them in the mid 70's they cover a good part of my working life at Schneider Electric. Throught tthis I have knowledge on Telemecanique, Modicon, Suare D, April and Merlin Gerin Brands but only general information on the rest.



Can you help with any of the following?



  • Early Development of the PLCs, not much appears to have been published.


  • Background of PLCs from outside USA & EU, I realy know nothing about the Japanese.


  • Any photographs of early installations.


  • Your experiances with early systems, Languages, Training, Selling the concept.


Regards



John Pittwood
  • 0
    Mark,



    Was it that long ago? I lost your contact details when I retired, I didn't copy all the ones I wanted from my work account.



    I've accepted your request for to add me as a contact so we can now communicate directly.



    Regards



    John
  • 0
    Derrick,



    Thank you for that, several of the early PLCs used a tape recored and it was very slow and not always a very reliable method of storing programs.



    I seem to remember an Omron range C**** the stars being a number but I'm not certain. I didn't know about the Omro OEM versions



    John
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Hi John,


    Have you looked into Dick Morley the 'Father of the PLC' at all?

    Dick Morley on Wikipedia
    Dick Morley remembered as 'Father of the PLC'
    Dick's book 'Out of the Barn'


    Tim
  • 0
    In France they call them 'Automate Programable' the term coined by Prof Claude Laurgeau, a well known robotics pioneer here.
  • 0
    Tim,


    ​Thanks for the heads up, I'd love to get Dick Morley over hear but we don't have the budget. Also I believe he has been unwell. I am trying to get intouch and see if it is possible for him to do a video intro.


    John

  • 0
    Javier,


    ​I worked for Merlin Gerin, TE & then Schneider for 30+ years. So I heard the term a few times but never knew where it came from.


    ​I don't know if you can help I believe a lot of the above companies archieve material was transfered to another libary/organisation. I once saw a web site but have lost the details have you any idea as to how I can trace it?


    John
  • 0
    Hi John, long time no hear. Hope you are well.


    Saw your comment about Dick Morley. I don't know if you heard but he passed away in October last year. ISA launched a scholarship fund in his name:

    https://www.isa.org/news-and-press-releases/isa-press-releases/2017/november/isa-honors-automation-visionary-and-legend-dick-morley-with-scholarship-fund/


    Steve
  • 0
    Hi John,


    I'm currently working for Omron as a Software Engineer based in Fareham, Hampshire.  There is a timeline of the Omron PLC history on the "MyOmron" website:

    https://www.myomron.com/index.php?action=kb&article=1340


    There isn't much detail about each type of device there but you might find more information (including a few photos) if you Google for the model numbers.  There is also a bit more information about the history of Omron and industrial automation in general on the company's main website:

    https://www.omron.com/about/history/


    Hope this helps you with your research.


    Ian.
  • 0
    Steve,


    ​No I hadn't heard he had died, last I knew he was uunwell. How are you keeping? 


    Ian 

    Thanks for that, do you know anyone who could speak about the Japanese influance on PLCs? 

    I'll check out the time line.


    Regards

    John

    Now off Grandson hearding :-)


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