Roy Greenough's
memories are the stuff of history
as
told to Chris B.
Roy Greenough traces his love for aviation to the age
of seven. He was in a spellbound crowd that watched the legendary Glenn L.
Martin touch down on an airfield outside Cleveland, Ohio. Later, Greenough
would move to California to attend aircraft technical school where he learned
skills working on Lockheed Electras.
At
27, Greenough accepted an offer from the Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore,
Maryland, to work as a riveter on the aircraft manufacturing line on the eve of
World War II for 45 cents an hour.
It’s
only fitting that, as Lockheed Martin celebrates its Centennial, Roy Greenough
celebrates his 100 years. History can be seen in his collection of hand-built
wooden models of Lockheed Martin aircraft from the past century. Greenough uses
poplar because, “Poplar hardly
ever cracks.”
Greenough
offers a unique company perspective, from the innovation and dedication that
kept crucial PBM aircraft assembly lines moving around the clock during World
War II to technology that produced jet aircraft, missiles and rockets. His
memories as an employee from 1939 to 1970 are the stuff of history: supervising
new female industrial workers, symbolized by 'Rosie the Riveter'; testing new
jet aircraft of the post-war years; and working on missile programs at Martin Marietta’s
Orlando facility.
Greenough
recalled how aircraft, manufacturing and testing techniques, working conditions
and salaries changed dramatically. What changed even more, Greenough said, was
the human capacity to adapt, to overcome and to innovate. “It’s the people. You get
ahead by helping others,” he
said.
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| Photo 1: History is seen in his amazing models. |
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| Photo 2: Greenough can trace his love for aviation to childhood. |
