American Crucible

Corporate History and Overview

Undated photo of the American Crucible Products company in operation. Black River Historical Society

September 2013 view of the factory. Google Image.

The American Crucible Products Company was formed in 1919. In 1926 it moved to Lorain, Ohio, and in 1928 began manufacturing traffic signals and flashing beacons. In 1939 a company called The Master Equipment Corp. was selling "Master" traffic lights and controllers. This link is still being investigated. At some point prior to WWII American Crucible stopped manufacturing traffic lights but are still operating today as part of BecoTek Mfg. U.S.A. Inc. They had a strong sales presence throughout Ohio including special installations in Bellevue, Dover, Hamilton, Salem, and Xenia. They had a smaller showing throughout the midwest but still had signals in Scranton, PA. and Muncie, In. Less notable installations were made in Ashland, Bedford, Bluffton, and Gallion, Ohio. They are also believed to have installations in Southern Michigan.

Distributors and Contract Manufacturing

The following companies had distribution rights to these signals or sold a private label version of the Master Signal.

• Boyd Traffic Control Corp.
• The Master Equipment Corp.
• The Prospect Fire Engine Company

Traffic Signals

Design Characteristics

The traffic signals they produced were robust and had several notable design characteristics.

• Were said to have a sun phantom proof design.
• Early lights featured an angled bulb mount while later ones had the industry standard straight bulb configuration.
• Metal reflectors heavily chromium plated. Signals taken out of service 80 years later still have bright reflectors.
• Orange peel type lenses (the same styles used in Darley except a blue instead of green "green" lens.)
• Sealed, "dustproof" construction with lens and door gaskets.
• Early models featured cast cap visors, later signals were available with cast tunnel/circle visors and removable rolled aluminum visors.
  • Signals with removable cast visors are the final version produced by the Traffic Master Company or The Master Equipment Corp. around 1939 in Amherst, Ohio.
• Marketed as "light weight" and weatherproof.
• Lights with a thin bottom plate were controlled externally, lights with a large bottom section had an integrated controller.
• Early signals were built from single piece side plates, later versions used used a stackable design to allow easy configuration of 1-4 signal sections.

There may have been a different, early design of traffic light that was marketed in the mid 1920's timeframe. The body was slightly different and the reflectors were glass. Most all the known documentation and specimens are indicative of the lights as seen from the 1930's to 1940's. The information contained in this article as of publishing time represents this single series of known lights produced.

Door Variations

During the course of production the most marked change to the signal was the branding as presented on the door.

• Sectional body/removable cast visors [Initial through 1927]: The Traffic Master Co Elyria O
• The earliest versions [1928-1930?] were of a solid body/cast visor design with no markings present on the door.
• Solid body/cast visor design with: THE MASTER SIGNAL THE AMERICAN CRUCIBLE PRODUCTS CO. LORAIN O. U.S.A.
• Cast visor sectional body style: THE MASTER SIGNAL U.S.A.
• Sectional body/removable rolled visor design [Final Production?] with no markings present on the door.

Latch Variations

During the course of production the latching materials used to hold the door closed changed slightly.

• Most common is the stud with spring, cast tab, and steel wingnut (which often rusted and froze.)
• This same style was also used with a stud and ESSCO-style thumbscrew.
• The cast tab and spring were sometimes replaced with a stamped metal piece and boot-shaped collar.

• 

  Stamped/Boot Style

• 

  Most Common Spring/Cast Style

Four Ways

Model S-3-29

Model S-2-29

This is the presumed model number for this variant.

Adjustables

They also produced adjustable traffic lights. Examples of rigid body construction are known, it is not believed that they produced sectional adjustable lights.

• 
• 

Restored example of an adjustable Master Signal from the Hahn Oil Collection. Photo by LC.

Pedestrian Signals

describe models, variations

Vehicle Heads (Round)

describe models, variations

Vehicle Heads (Square Door Adapters)

describe models, variations

Pedestrian/Sign Heads (Rectangular)

describe models, variations

Informational Signals and Signs

describe models, variations [delete] includes "box signs," "case signs," and Ped Heads with special [non-ped] lenses.

Lenses

describe models, variations

Vehicular

The earlier lights used orange peel lenses, like used in Darley lights, except the green aspect was a blue lens, instead of a green lens. These were typically made by Jefferson or Brilliant.

Later lights used Corning Type-E Large Bead lenses.

Pedestrian

describe models, variations

Worded

describe models, variations

Symbols

describe models, variations

Special

describe models, variations

Controllers

• Split amber operation - only the green light traffic sees the amber.
• Single cam, induction motor mechanical controllers.
• Sealed gear system.
• Tungsten contacts with a sliding self cleaning action for longer life.
• Unique RED-I-FLASH system where a flashing red light above green indicates a signal change for two color signals.
• Single wire, impulse controlled coordination system.
• Masterless coordination system, any controller serves as master.
• Self lubricating bronze bearings.
• Positive starting in cold temperatures

Special Features Available:

• Emergency Control
• Manual Control
• Flashing or Night Amber mode
• Pedestrian Controls
• Coordination for Two and Three Period Controls

Hardware

• 

  Deep Bottom for Integrated Controller

• 

  Standard Weatherhead Hanger

Miscellaneous Images

Various reference images, restored examples, etc. that don't fit anywhere else.

Relevant Patents

Patent numbers relevant to this MFR or signals specifically. Not just every patent by company X.

References

• Lorain - Images of America: Ohio, Black River Historical Society, Arcadia Publishing, 1999, ISBN 0738501786, ISBN 9780738501789
• Google Map Imagery, September 2013

Notes for Larry

    File:File.jpg to use the full version of the file

File:File.png

alt text

to use a 200 pixel wide rendition in a box in the left margin with 'alt text' as description

   Media:File.ogg for directly linking to the file without displaying the file 

AmCr_Ext_LC.jpg AmCr_Int_LC.jpg AmCr_Strtbulb_LC.jpg AmCr_Ctrlr_LC.jpg AmCr_Angbulbin_LC.jpg AmCr_Hanger_LC.png

The Prospect Fire Engine Company

The early ones from the 20's had glass reflectors and the body was little bit different

They made them in solid body also

Besides boyd they marketed them under a different name also. I dont think they ever put the boyd name on them just switched the name on the ad.

They were in 3 cities in the Cleveland area.

The later ones had straight bulbs like the newer ones.

There common in Ohio, Many towns once had them.

They started in 1924 and redesigned there lights in 1939

Came with orange peel Jefferesons and Brilliants, then 27's and type E lenses

Later cast doors didnt have a name

later ones did away with the ornamental brass square on top

Thumbscrews, Wingnuts, cast latches, stamped latches