VIP Club Flyer
Author: Lowell A. Benson, retired engineer/manager

IT Legacy Project, since 2005
Goal: Engineering Research Associates (ERA) began a remarkable story of technological innovation and contributions to the computer industry in 1946. We aim to relate this 77-year+ story as many of us have lived parts of it—most history book entries have limited defense industry information among the commercial computer system development stories.
Objectives: First, is to capture whatever remaining material and information available; Second is to catalog and archive all the material collected; and Third is to publish/publicize our history and heritage in ways that interest industry and our fellow Minnesotans via the web and local institutions.
Accomplishments: 1) Over 400 people have contributed to our Legacy Anthology, www/vipclubmn.org/Legacy.html. 2) Provided info for Dr. Tom Misa’s Digital State book. 3) Established an exhibit at the Lawshe Memorial Museum. 4) In 2017 helped move 1100 series shadowboxes to Unisys, Eagan. 5) Supported an ERA memorial plaque commemoration at 1902 Minnehaha Ave. W. in St. Paul.

History Tidbits
Since 2007, former employees and systems users have contributed stories to our IT Legacy Anthology with monthly articles, http://www.vipclubmn.org/OurStories.html.
In 2008 more than 75 volunteer members participated in several Minnesota Sesquicentennial activities, chronicled in the Minnesota 2058 bi-centennial time capsule, vipclubmn.org/Articles/It’sAWrap.pdf.
Eight of the 27 interviewees for the 2019 Twin Cities Public Television documentary; MN Solid State, High Tech History, vipclubmn.org/Articles/TPTclips.pdf.

P.O. Box 21903 Eagan, MN 55121 http://vipclubmn.org

2024 BOARD Contact Information
President — Jim Andrews, [website, Winter Party]
webmaster@vipclubmn.org
Vice President(acting)— Lowell Benson, [IT Legacy}
la.gj.benson@comcast.net
Treasurer – Paul Hove, [Annual UNIVAC Old Timers Reunion] paul@paulhove.com
Secretary — Bonnie Westberg,Winter Party, Sympathy cards] volunteerboni@gmail.com, [
Director — Gish Devlaminck, [Member Database] membership@vipclubmn.org
Director —Dick Lundgren, [CBI Liaison, Programs] rflundgr@aol.com
Director — Les Flugum, [Program Plans] Flugum2020@gmail.com
Director — Eric Spring, [Program Plans] ericpspring@gmail.com
Past President — Harvey Taipale, IT Legacy, Lawshe Museum Liaison] hjtaipale@comcast.net [
Board Associates:
Mary Beth Ruhland [Editor]
clubnewsltr@vipclubmn.org,
John Westergren [Picnic, IT Legacy] jwestergren@gmail.com,
Lowell Benson, [IT Legacy, Unihogs & technologists],
Members Emeriti:
Dale Phelps, drphelps416@gmail.com
Joe Schwarz, jschwarzsr@centurylink.net.

Lawshe Memorial Museum Volunteerism Leads: Keith Myhre, kmyhre@lightblast.net; Bob Pagac, rpagac@hotmail.com; and Jon Simon, jcsimon1st @frontiernet.net;
Tuesday AM help is always welcome!

Updated December 15, 2023 - VIP Club Flyer, design by LABenson

The VIP CLUB is a non-profit, social and services organization of retired and former employees from Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and their legacy companies illustrated below.

We are proud of our Information Technology (IT) Legacy preserved for future generations at the Lawshe Memorial Museum in S. St. Paul, at the Charles Babbage Institute - U of MN in Minneapolis, MN, and in our hearts and minds!

MAIL THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHECK TO:
VIP Club P.O. Box 21903
Eagan, MN 55121

VIP Club Member Eligibility: Retirees and spouses from Unisys, Lockheed Martin, their MN legacy and successor companies. Active vested employees [and spouses] are also eligible.
Associate Member Eligibility: Former employees of Lockheed Martin, Unisys, and their heritage or successor companies. Life Members (seniors) Former employees aged 90 and above pay no dues!
Friends: Not an ex-employee but a legacy history supporter.

APPLICATION/Renewal FORM: Dues: $7, 1 year ___ $ 18, 3 years ___.Free if >90.
Member (>55) __, or Associate (<55) __: Address Change __, New __, Renewal __; Friend ___.
_________________ _____________ ____ _________________
Name First M.I. Spouse’s Name
_____________________ __________________ ____ ________
Street Address or P.O. Box City State Zip Code
(_____) _______-____________ ________________________@_________________ . ______
Primary Telephone Number E-mail address
Newsletter delivery preference is: Electronic ____ or U.S. Mail ___.
Employer is/was: UNISYS ___, Lockheed Martin ___, and/or predecessor company. ___________________
Include my data in the Club’s Directory? Yes __ No __. DIRECTORY is only available to Members and Associates!

Club Origination
The VIP Club concept began in 1979 when our founder, Millie Gignac, was conducting pre-retirement interviews with Sperry employees. She saw that most employees were reluctant to rapidly break their ties with the company and in particular friends with whom they had many shared memories.
The first general meeting was held on September 3rd, 1980 with about 75 people in attendance. Officers were elected, plans were made for monthly meetings, and a constitution and by-laws were drawn up. Al Mueller, retired Antenna Coupler engineering manager, was elected the first President.

Membership Benefits
Annual events participation; Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, Annual June Picnic, and January Holiday party & dinner.
Contacts with former co-workers via the planned social activities and the Club Directory.
Contact/site information for monthly periodic group breakfasts, lunches, and a dinner.
Links to recreational activities; i.e. golf leagues, MN senior centers, etc.
Opportunities to nurture friendships via Club committees and other volunteer activities.
Periodic newsletters with event reports, new member recognition, obits, forms, program announcements, Legacy articles, etc..

Club Planned Social Activities
January—Winter Party; Dinner and Holiday Gathering at the Lost Spur Event Center.
April—Volunteers’ Recognition Luncheon;
May—Syttende Mai luncheon at Casper’s in Eagan.
June— Reunion picnic in Eagan; beer, brats, burgers, and great friendship stories.
‘September—Roseville Good Old Days’ gathering in the northern suburbs.
November - Annual UNIVAC Old Timers’ Reunion at the Lost Spur in Eagan
Other specialty programs such as the river cruises, open houses, Unihogs, ... , etc.

Encouraged Social Activities
Numerous group meetings at breakfasts, lunch, and dinner venues around the Twin Cities; see web site Activities page.
Recreation League combinations of retirees and current Unisys employees—i.e. Golf, PC & Electronics Club, Bowling, etc.