Gould's venture in fiber optics actually began in 1978 when a group was formed at the CentralResearch Laboratory in Chicago. Work by thisgroup of dedicated scientists and engineers resultedin the development of a practical fused biconicaltaper (FBT) process for making singlemode splittersfor interferometric sensors. By 1983, singlemode fiber was being used in telecommunications and in 1985 Gould began commercial production to address these needs.

An important part of the Fiber Optics Division's story is the continuous product development and improvement necessary in modern high-technology companies. Much of our development work came about because of cooperative and interactive work with our customers. Thus, for example, the need for OTDR (optical time domain reflectometer) manufacturers to be able to test at two different wavelengths with a single instrument led to the improvement of the WDM and the development of the wavelength independent coupler (WICTM). The development of the optical amplifier required special WDMs as well as very stable optical feedback taps which would exhibit very low polarization sensitivity. The needs of CATV (cable television) and FTTC (fiber to the curb) necessitated the development of various 1 x N couplers.

For our customers to be successful, they must offer their products and services at competitive prices. Twelve years ago our products were made by hand and the quality, reproducibility, and cost were operator-dependent. Clearly a case for automation. Because the market for couplers over the last ten years has been a large number of customers requiring a diversity of components, we had to develop a manufacturing system that was both automatic and highly flexible. In the last several years, we have succeeded in developing such a system in which, after initial set-up, an operator simply selects a product from a menu. The computer then takes over and makes the selected product. This system allows the product to be made more quickly with higher quality and lower cost.

When we stared this venture twelve years ago, we knew very little about running a high-tech business. Over the years, we have adhered to a few simple rules to guide us: to maintain a position of technical leadership, to provide our customers with the highest quality products, to be open and honest in dealing with our customers, to grow commensurate with the market, and to treat each employee as key contributors. These guidelines have served us well over the past twelve years and we expect they will continue to do so. With just as much excitement, we look forward to the opportunities and challenges that we will face as we move into the next century.