1958--Chuck Taylor, CEO of Tayco Engineering, developed a unique product of molded to shape thermal insulation with integral electrical heating. He formed a West Coast division of Electro-Flex Heat of Hartford, Connecticut for the perfection of this product for the aerospace industry.

1961--Chuck Taylor formed a financial partnership with three other investors to buy out the East Coast company's interest and changed the name to Thermal Systems. The new company continued to develop high quality heaters and sensors for the aerospace and aircraft industries.

1965-- Thermal Systems went public and expanded into commercial markets.

1970--Chuck Taylor started a new company, Tayco Engineering, Inc., with a more concentrated focus on supplying the highest reliability "zero defects" products required for the aerospace industry. He was supported by his lead engineer, Keith Williams, to reach this goal.

1970--Tayco Engineering incorporated with almost no money in a rent free office space in downtown Long Beach.

At that time, the aerospace industry had completed the Mercury and Gemini Programs. Except for one program called Viking, being developed by TRW for NASA, there was virtually no aerospace business. With 44 different heating and temperature sensing requirements on Viking, Tayco Engineering, without a history of quality control and proven process procedures, was automatically disqualified. Because of a very unique approach to one of the more demanding requirements, as well as Tayco's dedication to perfection, TRW granted a probationary approval as a "second source" for one of the components. By the time the program ended, Tayco Engineering was designated as "mandatory source" for all heating and temperature sensor requirements, virtually disqualifying all other established sources for these products. Viking explored the planet Mars and, without a single failure, was a tremendous success for NASA and the aerospace industry. As a result of the technology learned on Viking, Tayco developed a unique product for Hydrazine Thruster Engine Heaters that surpassed other products on the market. The company was recognized by NASA, JPL, Hughes, Rockwell, Rocket Research, Hamilton Standard as well as in Europe and Asia for a product that well exceeded anything developed to date. As a result of this recognition, the uniquely designed Tayco Engineering's Thruster Engine Heaters are used on virtually every Satellite. Additional heaters were developed for the Hydrazine lines, valves, and storage tanks, as well as other temperature sensitive components.

1978--Dr. Jay Chung, Ph.D. joined the company. In addition to his in-depth technical capabilities of infrared products, Dr. Chung developed state-of-the-art flat ribbon cable, harness assemblies for solar panels, and robotic arms used in assembling the International Space Station. The station will operate in cryogenic temperatures as low as minus 450 F.

1982--Tayco Engineering developed over 180 heater configurations to maintain the temperature for precise focal lengths of the Hubbell Space Telescope.

Tayco Engineering was selected as a sole source to Lockheed Missiles and Space Division to heat the O'rings that were failing on the Solid Propellant Polaris Missiles fired from submarines. Tayco Engineering also supplied the technology developed for NASA to perfect the medical breakthrough of the Cochlear Implant by the House Ear Institute. This innovation has enabled over 20,000 children and adults, who would otherwise be completely deaf, to hear once more.

1983--Tayco Engineering developed an Infra-Red technology that made it possible for Spy Satellites to give early warning detection of firing of missiles that proved valuable in Operation Desert Storm. Tayco Engineering also developed components for the infrared seeking device for the Patriot Anti-Ballistic Missile that was used to destroy the Scud Missiles.

1986--When the Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed as a result of an O'ring that failed because of cold temperatures, Tayco Engineering was selected by NASA to design a product to correct the problem. This selection was made after a thorough survey of 17 potential suppliers, Tayco Engineering being one of the smallest. Tayco Engineering heaters, sensors and temperature controllers used on the Shuttle now maintain the O'rings at a warm 98F in freezing temperatures. The heater and control system are disconnected just T minus 60 seconds prior to launch.

Tayco Engineering has received numerous awards from NASA, The Defense Department, and almost every major aerospace manufacturer including Lockheed Martin, Hughes, TRW, JPL, Loral, Hamilton Standard, Thiokol, General Electric, Ball Aerospace, Rocketdyne, Rocket Research, and Boeing.

Tayco Engineering continues to enjoy producing quality products for quality customers as it leads the industry in producing unique high reliability heaters, temperature sensors, and flexible cable for the aerospace industry. The company grew from its beginnings as a two-man office to a modern 55,000 sq.ft. facility in Cypress, with 110 employees, including 21 graduate engineers. It is privately held by the Taylor Family, with profits shared with key employees.

The Company now has detailed documented designs and proven fabrication process procedures for over 20 thousand qualified designs. It is an approved source to 674 companies.

Products in current production include: A unique heater that burns off excess hydrogen at atomic energy plants to prevent a dangerous build up of the gas; wing heaters to prevent icing on commercial aircraft; helicopter blade heaters; 4,000F augmentation heaters used in hydrazine thruster engines (developed by Ron Wilkes, an MIT graduate, and Director of Engineering for Tayco Engineering).

Tayco Engineering has established an outstanding reputation internationally in a niche market that has proven very successful. The World's continuing dependence on satellites for communications will help guarantee the company's continued success.