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T. Allen Pelsue, Founder
Born in Fresno, California, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Al Pelsue entered
the workforce at the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company. He answered
his country's call after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He became a pilot and instructor
during World War II. While based in Denver he met and married Patricia Bradley,
a lovely Colorado girl who caught his fancy.
In the early days Al was the sales department, and Patricia was the "office".
After
WWII he turned down a lucrative opportunity as an airline pilot to attend Golden
Gate College on the G.I. Bill. Upon graduation, with a degree in business, Al
began his career selling utility bodies for the American Coach and Body Company
in San Francisco, which was subsequently acquired by McCabe Powers Company of
Saint Louis. Al and Pat, then with two children, Brad and Gail, moved to Denver
to open a sales office.
In 1950 Al developed a one-piece ventilating-heater for manholes. In the early
1950s he was awarded the first of many patents, and the technology was the basis
of his partnership with L. R. Morrison. The Morrison, Pelsue Company (MoPeCo)
was founded c. 1951. He sold his interest to Mr. Morrison in 1962.
In 1963 Al Pelsue developed and patented the manhole shield (type 2730) that
today remains the best-recognized device of its kind.
Throughout his career Al Pelsue worked with Bell Labs, AT&T, Independent Telephone,
CATV, Electric Utilities, and subsequently the "Baby Bells" to develop products
useful throughout the national and international telephone and Electrical distribution
systems.
Al was active in the business throughout his lifetime. Patricia continued as
Chair of the Board until her retirement in 1996.
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