G.T. Schjeldahl Company.

The legacy of Gilmore T. Schjeldahl (Shelly) began in 1948 when he created a bag making machine. In 1954 Shelly began a company in Northfield, MN which created atmospheric research balloons made with Mylar polyester film, with an adhesive system. The Company developed adhesive tapes for polyester bonding called Schjel-Bond. Plastics were developed for more commercial use in "Schjeldomes," (air-supported buildings). Federally sponsored programs, such as Echo, PAGEOS, Pegasus, ROBIN, and ROSE, depended on the Company's research. Echo I, on which he created a satellite-based global telecommunications network made history. The Company also made the laminate and adhesive materials for the Polaris submarine missile program. Technology using vacuum deposition and lamination were used on the Pegasus satellite. Thermal control coatings for spacecraft, x-ray sensors, radar-absorbing films, Novaclad, and keypads for computer keyboards all were the result of vacuum deposition. Schjeldahl produced helicopter blade liners, flexible circuits, aerostats, membrane switches, aircraft keyboard instrumentation, and products for solar energy programs. Schjeldahl built the bioshield for the unmanned spacecraft Viking. Later the Company invented Flexswitch, used in microwaves and washing machines, and supplied flexible circuitry to automobile manufacturers. In 1978, Shelly suffered a heart attack, and during his recovery, worked with his cardiologist to improve coronary angioplasty catheters. Gilmore T. (Shelly) Schjeldahl died on March 10, 2002.