Pancro History
DR. HIRAM W. EDWARDS, PROFESSOR OF PHYSICS, U.C.L.A. 1930'S
In 1929 a young physicist at U.C.L.A. named Dr. Hiram W. Edwards began experimenting with optical surfaces with high-vacuum mirror coating technology. This all took place in Hollywood and the original location then was PANCRO's first laboratory close to UCLA.
For his experiments Edwards designed a high-vacuum system with a high speed diffusion pump, the first evaporation chamber made for commercial use. From his proven research Edwards spun off a company named Pancro Mirros Inc. For his experiments he selected aluminum as the metallic alloy to be evaporated onto optical surfaces. Aluminum was highly reflective, would not tarnish, and was [panchromatic] sensitive to all colors of the visible spectrum.
By 1932 Edwards was producing coatings on optical surfaces that were highly neutral, adherent, and reflective throughout the visible spectrum. In addition to this, the coatings would not tarnish and were uniform in density. PANCRO became the trade name for this patented process perfected by Edwards. Under his guidance, PANCRO developed into the nation's leader in high-vacuum technology and aluminization, specializing, then, in optical coatings for ciinema effects, scientific instruments and telescope mirrors.
JAMES W. DOUGHERTY 1940'S
Shortly following World War II, the company hired a young optical apprentice named James Dougherty. James had just completed active duty in World War II's Pacific Theatre as squadron leader and combat pilot in the U.S. Marine Corp Airborne Division and was glad to be home with his wife and children, working as a civilian under the GI Bill for Pancro.
James became manager of the company in 1950, pioneering the Mitchell Diffusion filter and researching the present-day ND filter for cinematography. Through the years he slowly transitioned the company from serving government and scientific instruments to specializing in optical coatings for film effects.
In 1968, James purchased Pancro and relocated the facility to Glendale, California, where, between 1968 and 1979, he aluminized 30,000 telescope mirrors. However, Jim began to cater more to the emerging film industry, adapting PANCRO's scientific process to the field of cinematography, which included the 50/50 beamsplitter mirror for front projecton effects and the company's line of ND and Mitchell diffusion filters.
In 1973, the company began to experience increased production needs, and to meet this demand, James invited his son, Tom, to join him. Tom brought to the company expertise in business management and production planning from the aircraft industry. In addition to management, Tom gained expertise in the company's process as optical technician and right hand to James. With a compatible synergism, Jim and Tom raised PANCRO's production level to where it is today.
In 1994 James retired and transitioned Pancro to Tom, continuing on as the corporation's Consulting Engineer until his passing in 2005. See a separate biography dedicated to Major James W. Dougherty's wonderful life and war time story currently under construction on this website. We at Pancro truly miss this most remarkable man who not only loved his family but all humanity. He steered this company the same way he commanded the brave Marines under his care during WWII, a truly extraordinary man.
TOM DOUGHERTY , PRESIDENT/C.E.O. 1970'S TO PRESENT
As the corporation's President and C.E.O. since 1995, Tom directs all aspects of the company's optical technology and production in its main facility in Grass Valley, California, which he recently relocated in May 2006. An expert in both business management, production and quality control since 1973, Tom is an innovative optical designer and highly skilled optical engineer. His expertise is in original optical designs for motion picture cameras and, most recently, the HD Red Camera. His accomplishments include the CustomND CenterSpot, the Mitchell-Diffusion Slider, the Razor SharpND, ArchGrad, and Mist Filter.
In addition to overseeing the company's manufacturing process, Tom also manages the company's marketing and promotional campaigns and dealerships. He is a skilled negotiator who has acquired major contracts with major rental and movie production houses. Most recently Tom has speerheaded the company's production and marketing of its most recent IR+ND Filters for the Red Camera user.
BRIAN T. DOUGHERTY, V.P. RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Joining the company in 1995 as a technician and most recently promoted to General Manager-in-training, Brian is strong in human resources and manufacturing. Brian also serves on the board as Executive Vice President of Research and Development and oversees the company's cleaner production, sales and contact development for Nor Cal.
