Located adjacent to the famous Carlisle Barracks, Flight Systems Industrial Products is proud to call Carlisle, Pennsylvania home. Established over 250 years ago, Carlisle was set up as a western frontier for the eastern colonists. Carlisle quickly became a hub for trade with access to Indian trails along LeTort Creek that ran extensively both south and west. Consequently, Carlisle became and still is a significant epicenter of American trade.
Host to several famous visitors and home to some others, Carlisle is rich with American history. George Washington visited the Carlisle Barracks to inspect the troops here before deploying them to face the “Whiskey Rebellion”. Later Washington picked Carlisle for his army’s first arsenal and school. Benjamin Franklin visited to negotiate a treaty with the Indians. Eventually, the barracks became home to Carlisle’s Industrial Indian School and to Olympic champion and American football legend, Jim Thorpe. The Indian School and Revolutionary War munitions depot ultimately became known as the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks. Legendary Molly Pitcher, honored by George Washington for her courage and for fighting in the Battle of Monmouth, called Carlisle home and is buried here. James Buchanan, America’s 15th president, graduated from Carlisle’s Dickinson College in 1809. We are honored to walk the same square and streets as these greats did.
Proximity and an educated, hard-working workforce brought industry and military to Carlisle. Perhaps the most recognized company founded in our area is the Carlisle Tire and Rubber Company (founded in 1917). One of oldest companies is Frog Switch Manufacturing (founded in 1876 by John Hays). Originally instituted to produce frogs, switches and other steel railroad components, Frog Switch is now one of the few remaining working foundries in the US. dedicated to manganese steel wears. Today, Carlisle continues to thrive as a “transportation hub”. What were once Indian trails are now railways and highways that host tons of freight that can be delivered to about 70% of the country’s population within 2 days transit time. These highways and byways are certainly not ‘The Road Less Traveled’.
Flight Systems made history when several of their key electronic components were launched into space on aboard various Apollo spacecraft and on Skylab I and II. Today we continue the Carlisle traditions of innovative manufacturing and reliable, resourceful remanufacturing. Like our ancestors, we count on the industrious people and the time tested infrastructure of Carlisle to deliver electronic components quickly and consistently. Celebrating our 10th year in Carlisle in 2013, we are pleased to be part of this city’s rich history. It’s good to be home!
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