Pierce Manufacturing

I worked at Pierce as a contractor (through Aerotek) from approximately 1998-1999 (a year and a couple of months, iirc). I was at the McCarthy Road plant initially, and later at the headquarters a few miles south. (As of 2012, you can see the Pierce logo in the Street View at that link.)

The project I worked on was the first attempt (that I know of) to use digital multiplexing to control onboard devices (e.g. external lights, aerials, pumps) on a fire engine. I'm guessing that this later evolved into the "Command Zone" system, but at the time there was no screen involved, just switches and lights.

I drove there from Athens (and back) in The Nissan, roughly a 16-hour trip each way, at least four times (two round trips).

• For more about my time in Appleton, see Appleton.
• For more about Pierce, see HTYP.