Allison History
Allison's off-highway product legacy extends back to 1947 when Allis-Chalmers asked GM to develop a new powershift transmission for its HD-9 Tractor. Although the project was never completed, it helped launch Allison on its way to development of off-highway products. By the late 1950s, following introduction of the first retarder in 1953, off-highway transmissions were driving significant business at the division.
The Allison Military Band helped announce the celebration of the 10,000th tank transmission to employees of Plant 5 (Below).
While there was much happening at Allison throughout the 1950s and 60s, for thousands of area school children, there was nothing as exciting as a visit to Allison's Powerama. Opened in 1954, the Powerama featured displays that showcased current Allison products and detailed the company's historical development. Marvels visitors could view included models of the 51 aircraft types that Allison engines had powered since 1937 and a Patton Tank that demonstrated the operation of its crossdrive transmission.
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| [1950s] A visitor to the Powerama views the Patton tank. | [1950s]"Where Our People Work" was illustrated in this Powerama display. |
| Among the shorter production runs was the XT-90 Series power train (Right), of which only 221 were made in 1958-59. For this curious creation, called the ONTOS, the M50 Multiple 106mm Self-propelled Rifle was designed for the U.S. Marine Corps to be used in support of assault operations. |  |
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