Honoring A Legacy: Celebrating 50 Years of Mekel Technology
You might expect a company in the business of preservation to have an extensive archive of its own history. Surprisingly, that’s not always the case. As Mekel Technology, a Crowley Company, (also known as Mekel Engineering until 1999) celebrates its 50th anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on a remarkable journey that began with a small team of visionaries and on the importance of preserving the history that brought us together.
From its modest beginnings in a garage to becoming leaders in the digitization industry, Mekel Technology’s story is one of ingenuity, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. However, as they’ve grown and evolved, under our umbrella we’ve realized that time has a way of erasing the past if it’s not carefully preserved. This reflection reminds us of how critical it is to protect the legacy that has shaped us and what we’ve learned along the way.
The Early Days: Where It All Began
In 1971, two engineers, Maurice Amesbury and Jack Van Vonderen, left their corporate jobs to pursue a vision their previous employer couldn’t see. That vision was the VIC SP-1 Cine 8 Super 8 camera, a pioneering product specifically designed for high-speed scientific filming, such as crash and ballistics tests. The Cine 8 was revolutionary — the first high-speed Super 8 camera with a precision pin-registered film transport mechanism that ensured sharp, frame-to-frame registration during exposure.
It wasn’t until the Cine 8 found success that Maurice and Jack officially founded Mekel Engineering. The early days were defined by creativity and resourcefulness. The team frequently developed one-off products, keeping the company moving until more commercially viable solutions could be designed.
One of those early pioneers was Andy Scherer, a mechanical engineer who became the principal designer of the Mekel 300. A camera inspired by Polaroid’s instant-processing movie camera system. Andy’s work, along with contributions from engineers like Roy Thrash, one of Mekel’s original electrical engineers, helped establish Mekel’s reputation for engineering excellence. Their innovations laid the groundwork for the company’s future success.
The Lost Archives: What Was Left Behind
With growth came challenges. When Jack and Maurice decided to retire in 1993, Mekel was sold to Metters Industries and later to Houston Fearless 76 (HF Group) in 1999. During the transition to HF Group’s Compton office, much of Mekel’s early documentation—including design sketches, records, and other artifacts — were lost. These gaps in the company’s history serve as a sobering reminder of how easily history can slip away if not carefully preserved.
While the acquisition by The Crowley Company (Crowley) in 2003 marked a new chapter in Mekel’s journey, it also reinforced the importance of the past. Crowley’s leadership has emphasized that preserving Mekel’s rich history is not just about honoring its legacy, it’s also about nourishing those roots to continue driving innovation and fostering relationships with our clients.
Preserving the Legacy: What We Still Have
Despite the losses, much of Mekel’s legacy lives on in the memories of those who were there. Surviving artifacts, such as a few early product models and the recollections of employees, continue to be invaluable pieces of our story.
For example, Jeff, Mekel’s brilliant mechanical engineer who has been there since 1977, vividly remembers the creation of Twentieth Century – Fox Movietone Automatic Film Transport, one of those one-off projects mentioned earlier. “We basically took M500 electronics and beefed them up to handle 2000 ft. reels of nitrate film. All of the rollers were grounded and each reel had its own fire-proof compartment so if the nitrate film were to catch on fire it would be contained in one of 3 compartments; supply spool, scanning section and take-up spool.”
As we work to preserve Mekel’s legacy, oral histories have become one of our most important tools. Employees, both past and present, are the living records of Mekel’s journey. While the physical documents may be gone, their stories and experiences continue to inspire and shape the company’s future.
Why Preserving Company History Matters
Why does preserving a company’s history matter? For Crowley, preservation means more than holding onto nostalgia; it’s the groundwork for understanding our identity. We want to acknowledge the parts that make us whole. Mekel’s story is an integral part of our history and we are proud to be a part of their legacy of innovation spanning five decades.
For our clients, a well-preserved history builds trust and credibility. It shows that Mekel not only survived industry changes but thrived, continually innovating while remaining true to its origins.
Our work in digitization is focused on saving documents, records, and cultural heritage materials for future generations. How can we preach the importance of preserving our clients’ materials if we don’t do the same for ourselves? Mekel’s journey is not just a part of the world’s history but part of our own and protecting it ensures that we continue to honor the innovations, people, and milestones that brought us to where we are today. By safeguarding Mekel’s legacy, we reinforce our commitment to preservation, both for our clients and for the company’s future.
Steps We Are Taking to Preserve Mekel’s History
At Crowley, we are committed to documenting our innovations, milestones, and contributions to the industry. As we celebrate Mekel’s 50th anniversary, we are actively filing away any old brochures, articles, advertisements, and photographs we find on company servers to create a digital footprint that reflects The Crowley Company’s ongoing work as a whole.
We are also gathering stories from employees, both past and present, ensuring that their insights and contributions are recorded for future generations. These efforts will help ensure that the next 50 years of Mekel’s history are as well-documented as possible.
To the Future
As we honor Mekel Technology’s 50th anniversary, we recognize that our past is a vital part of our future. By preserving our history, we not only pay tribute to the incredible work that’s been done but also lay the foundation for the next generation of innovators, creators, and leaders who will carry our legacy forward.
To everyone who has been a part of this journey—our visionaries, engineers, and the entire Mekel team—we thank you for making the last 50 years possible. Here’s to many more years of innovation and excellence.
Happy 50th anniversary, Mekel Technology!
Katherine is the marketing specialist at The Crowley Company. She is a passionate and dedicated professional who is always looking for ways to improve the company’s marketing efforts. When she’s not at work, Katherine loves to volunteer her time for various charitable causes. She is also an avid reader and enjoys exploring new destinations around the world, immersing herself in different cultures and experiences.