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The BLC Connection Podcast is a fun and informative show from Ben Lomand Connect that answers your questions about the internet, Wi-Fi, home security and more, and brings you information on the stories and events in “Ben Lomand Country.” Bryan, Karen and Micah take you behind the scenes of Ben Lomand Connect, where the cooperative connects Middle Tennessee with the latest in communications technology and with businesses that are making a difference in our service territory. The BLC Connection Podcast also offers tips for business marketing and residential/workplace technology.
Bryan Kell:
Welcome in to The BLC Connection Podcast.
We are back with an episode that is chock full of information.
So, Karen, what have you got waiting for us in the Community
Connection segment?
Karen Wilson:
We have got lots of things going on in September, and kicking it
off into high gear with the county fair is going to be lots of
live events going on.
We'll go over all of those, and then we've also got a new
magazine coming out.
Channel Six is going to be very busy with all the live
entertainment coming up with the county fairs in September.
So that's it for now.
That's my tease.
Bryan Kell:
All right. That's your tease. Micah, what do you have lurking for
us in the Technology Connection segment?
Micah Lawrence:
Well, you got to put your helmet on.
We're going to jump in the Wayback Machine.
Bryan Kell:
So we can find out more information about that in just a bit.
But up next is our Business Connection segment.
And we are rolling with Tim Painter, plant manager at
Bridgestone Morrison.
So let's do this thing.
I'm Bryan Kell.
Micah Lawrence:
I'm Micah Lawrence.
Karen Wilson:
And I'm Karen Wilson.
(All hosts):
Let's get connected.
Bryan Kell:
Welcome back again to The BLC Connection Podcast.
I'm Bryan Kell. We are very pleased to have with us for now our
second video podcast, the Bridgestone Morrison plant
manager, Tim Painter.
Tim, thanks so much for joining us here at Ben Lomand Connect.
Tim Painter:
No, thank you all for the invite.
Bryan Kell:
Well, we're very pleased to have you here.
I guess, you know, the first question would be, I guess, give us
an update on the current situation of the Morrison plant in 2024.
Tim Painter:
So far the plant is still doing real well in terms of our safety,
quality, production.
So all that's very stable.
We continue to hire to try to keep up with the attrition.
So that's good news for us right now.
So I'd have to say I'm very pleased with 2024 so far.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah. Yeah.
Micah Lawrence:
So you've been at Bridgestone for 35 years.
Is that right?
Tim Painter:
Yeah, almost 36.
October will be 36.
Micah Lawrence:
Awesome. That's great. Well, so what's some of the major changes
that you've seen in the way, you know, the tires are made and the
quality and all that good stuff?
What have you seen as far as changes at Bridgestone over that
time period?
Tim Painter:
So I would have to say the materials that we use today in the
compounds, especially our tread compounds.
And I think that's true for a lot of the manufacturers.
But there's a large focus on the rolling resistance and also on
sustainability.
So we're trying to incorporate a lot of these materials into the
tire to make them more fuel efficient and try to reduce the
footprint.
Micah Lawrence:
And correct me if I'm wrong, you guys start from the raw material
all the way to the final product, correct?
Tim Painter:
Yes, yes. So it's not like a typical manufacturing that we get
parts sent in from somewhere.
We get the raw material, the carbon black oil, natural rubber.
We mix it.
We have multiple different formulas based on the application in
the tire.
And then we turn it into the components, and then we assemble
the tire, and then we cure the tire and ship it.
So it's an end to end process.
Bryan Kell:
Awesome. I don't think I was going to just say real quick, you
talk about 35 years, and you're talking about the process and,
just those things.
I don't think we would have much of a clue as to the amount of
analytics, i guess that you all – the change that you have seen
in the information that you're able to grab now from making
tires 35 years ago to today, it's probably massive.
Tim Painter:
Yeah, it's a lot.
And, the data that we can capture automatically, and then now
the challenge is how do we
turn that data into useful information more quickly.
And then looking, you know, with AI and what can we try to do to
go down that path.
So, you know, when I started, we still had fax machines and no
computers.
So it's changed a lot.
Karen Wilson:
I know I have a little insight into the the Bridgestone, as my
husband works there.
He mentioned the change from trucking to now.
Correct me if I'm wrong, the things going up overhead and
materials and how they're transported within the plant, I'm sure
that was a massive change.
Tim Painter:
Oh, it was a very big undertaking.
But, so, you know, basically we were moving all the materials,
someone was driving a truck and moving it
manually. We went to an automated system, the only one in
Bridgestone that's overhead like that.
So it helped with the efficiency, but it brought on some of its
own new challenges, too.
And so it was a learning curve.
Karen Wilson:
Oh, I'm sure.
Tim Painter:
It's been really successful so far.
Karen Wilson:
Yeah, that's great. And you know, as people transition from the
trucker job, I'm sure they've moved into other areas
and filled in other gaps there that the overhead system created.
Tim Painter:
Yes. Yeah. So we were able to transition into different jobs in
the plant.
We didn't eliminate any people for that.
So they just migrated in and filled the open positions.
Karen Wilson:
Yeah. So almost a year ago to date, you had, you know, we were
recording the podcast,
and you had your ceremonial groundbreaking with the leaders and
Governor Lee to celebrate the
$550 million expansion of the plant there.
Talk to us about that and the jobs that it's going to create.
Tim Painter:
It's on schedule now.
It's still moving along.
The a lot of the site preparation is complete.
We're working on foundations, so we'll start steel coming up.
Should have a substantial amount of the building under roof by
the winter time.
And with the equipment installation starting through 25, the
majority of the hiring will
probably take place in the 26 year as we get ready to start the
equipment
and start that process.
We have hired some ahead of time, but the majority will be in
2026.
Karen Wilson:
Well, and you mentioned in the hiring, I guess Bridgestone, it
seems like you all – the people that started at the plant in
its origination in Warren County are retiring and getting ready
to retire, and you've got a new crop.
You know, are you all struggling with the hiring process like
other people are?
Other, you know, entities are?
Tim Painter:
Right now we're not having any trouble.
I think, you know, with the benefits and the wages that we have
now in the plant, it's given us, you know, it's a premier place,
we feel. And so we do have a good candidate pool to try to fill
all those positions.
Bryan Kell:
Becoming carbon neutral is a growing trend among businesses the
size of Bridgestone.
You all have placed a goal of 2050 to hit that goal.
While that's 26 years away, how is that going in trying to hit
that mark?
Tim Painter:
I would say right now we're on track as a company to try to go
down that.
We're exploring all the alternatives we can to reduce the our
CO2, you know, emissions.
So everything we do now, large capital projects, that's part of
the consideration is, what is that impact?
And so I think overall the company is well on its way.
And we have the systems and things in place to try to make sure
we'll make it.
So feel pretty good about it.
Bryan Kell:
Good. That's great.
Micah Lawrence:
So you know Warren County's got the the new Motlow State
Automation and Robotics School there.
So when in terms of mechatronics and things like that, how does
that benefit you guys?
Or are you seeing some benefit with having that here local?
Tim Painter:
We have a couple of teammates in the program, in our maintenance
engineering program, right
now that came out of the mechatronics, and I see it as a great
opportunity.
We work with Larry out there trying to make sure that we have
the stuff that we need.
He wants to be able to provide that service.
The most exciting part for me, though, is the I think there's
going to continue to be a need for the technical trades, and so
to be able to get the local talent that wants to remain in
Warren County and around this area and have a career.
That's what's exciting because I want to see the local community
grow in that way.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah. And I'll say I've toured, you know, the TCAT and the
robotics and, you know, I love to see how much the
teachers and the staff there are trying to help find these
students jobs and training them for something specific that can
go really well. And so it's good to hear that that's working out
well for you guys, because I love to see them really helping
their students out. And I think that's a that's a good thing for
them.
Tim Painter:
Yeah. No, I see it as a win-win for sure.
It's great to have that resource so close by.
Some of the training that used to, we had to go travel to send
some of the technicians to training and stuff, we can
now do over there, and so it's great for us.
Micah Lawrence:
Awesome.
Karen Wilson:
It helps with a lot of young men and women that want to stay
local, that they can get their education here and then move
right into a job here locally.
And speaking of which, you know, you all don't just affect the
economy of Warren County, but you're pulling Coffee County
. People drive from all over Middle Tennessee to work there.
And so you all have a big effect, I guess, on employment in the
region here.
So over the decades, talking about your employees and stuff,
there's, you know, a lot been said about the culture of the
Morrison plant and how that's an example to other plants.
Talk to me about the culture there and what you're most proud of
about it.
Tim Painter:
So that's probably the question we're asked the most, and it's
the hardest to explain honestly, but it's the
truth. And the culture, I think, is the attitude of the
teammates that are there.
Everyone there wants to win on a daily basis.
So it's a can do attitude, and you can do a lot with that.
But it starts.
We have a great relationship with the local union, so that helps
us.
We have a good employee involvement called the Star Point
System.
And so it's where the teammates participate in like the the
management through different functions and it gives them
opportunity for growth.
All of our supervisors were operators at one time.
All of our department managers were operators at one time.
And so we have a breadth of knowledge across the plant.
You know, the terminology and tire manufacturing is complex, so
it gives us a good start.
So to be able to grow the talent on the inside and develop, that
is huge benefit, you know.
So it sounds cliché, but the truth is it's the people that make
it different.
And when other people come and see us, then they can walk away
and they can say, I understand.
But I have a real hard time trying to explain it to somebody.
Karen Wilson:
Well, something I've always noted just as the wife of an employee
there, is the safety.
The things that you all do, safety is just number one, and that
is something that you all talk
about daily in shift changes and things like that.
That's very appreciated to keep your employees safe.
Tim Painter:
Yeah, I mean that's the number one priority.
There's nothing that, you know, ever supersedes safety.
So no tires are worth somebody getting injured over.
And we do take it personally, and we try to make, you know, that
communication and that sense of urgency.
We have world class safety systems in our plant.
World class. We are VPP, which is volunteer protection with
OSHA, where we go above and beyond in the safety
programs. And that's a partnership with the local union, OSHA
and Bridgestone there.
But, you know, it's just a fundamental discipline that we have
to have.
And so we can't ever say enough about safety.
It's really important.
Bryan Kell:
Well, you can control a lot of things, but Mother Nature is one
of those things you can't control.
Unfortunately, we can either.
It can strike at any time.
With different levels of impact, that's for sure.
What type of infrastructure does Bridgestone have in place to
help try to combat Mother Nature?
Tim Painter:
So we have a weather center inside the plant that we can monitor
with the multiple feeds
of the weather, the radar.
It's live.
We have training there with like weather watch so that try to
get everyone as knowledgeable as
possible. So as severe weather is threatening, then we're
watching that with the safety department and with our maintenance
shift leader, and they're kind of monitoring what's going on.
If we had to take shelter, we've got good secure places in the
plant to take shelter.
And we do drills on a regular basis to be able to do that.
You know, this spring we had the unfortunate opportunity we had
to, and there was a lot of trees and stuff
down around the plant.
It was very close, and so we did have some damage.
It was minor, but it was just like vents, exhaust vent covers
and things like that.
But I think, you know, just the routine training and having the
weather center is a good opportunity for us.
Micah Lawrence:
So what do you guys do in terms of, let's say, backup of, you
know, do you have generators and things like that?
And, you know, I know on the kind of the back side there, it
looks like you guys have a lot of power lines coming in.
Do you have multiple feeds or?
Tim Painter:
We got two feeds, one the big TVA feed.
And then we have also with Caney Fork.
But then we have generators local as a backup power that would
help us, you know.
Micah Lawrence:
So if power goes out or something like that, you guys got
multiple options.
Tim Painter:
Yeah.
Micah Lawrence:
Oh that's great. So, you know, when talking about some of this
stuff, you know, we talked earlier about the overhead tires and
that system. You know, talk about some of the technology that
you guys have in the current plant today.
But then you know, when you've got this add on addition, is
there any new technologies that are coming in that you guys are
excited to see and, you know, excited to experience?
Tim Painter:
Yeah, I think, you know, right now, the Warren County plant is
probably one of the most automated tire plants in
Bridgestone organization and probably entire manufacturing,
especially for a plant that was built in, you know, 1989,
1990 timeframe.
We have continued to add automation.
That's one of the ways we have to be able to keep up in the
world today is to increase the productivity.
So, you know, she mentioned, the automated handling system that
was just put in 2020 finished.
So that's recent projects.
Then the new expansion, we're going to have several technologies
that will allow us to have the
digital infrastructure in the tire RFID, for example.
Other technologies that will be used in the fleets where they can
do more asset management and analytics of the
product. We're also going to have a couple new manufacturing
methods that'll help the tires for the future trying to get
ready, especially around electric vehicles.
Micah Lawrence:
Oh, that's awesome.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah, that is great.
Tim Painter, thank you so much for coming on board with us and
doing this BLC Connection Podcast with us.
And on behalf of all of us, Ben Lomand Connect.
And really, I guess for not only Warren County, Coffee County,
our whole service area, thanks to what Bridgestone means too, as
Karen's already mentioned, the impact that you all have is
tremendous and may it continue for many, many, many years to
come.
Tim Painter:
I hope so, but thank you for inviting me over today.
We always kind of like to talk about the plant, but again, it's
the people in the plant.
The equipment is very similar all over the world, but what helps
set us apart is our teammates that are out there.
So I appreciate it.
Bryan Kell:
Well, we appreciate you.
And back with more of The BLC Connection Podcast here in just a
bit.
Karen Wilson:
Welcome back to The BLC Connection Podcast.
We are going to talk now about Community Connection.
You know guys it's fall, and fall is a wonderful time in
Tennessee.
Lots of things going on.
We could go on probably a good 30 minutes on everything
happening in our area.
We're kind of sitting in the heart of fall season right now.
Tell me what's your favorite thing about fall, Bryan?
Bryan Kell:
Probably just like everybody else.
Football, it's great.
For me, it's a time to be able to go back to the alma mater in
Murfreesboro and be able to at least catch a game or two over at
Johnny Red Floyd Stadium.
So MTSU football and fall just seem to go together well for me.
Karen Wilson:
What about you, Micah?
Micah Lawrence:
Honestly, I just love the cooler weather.
Karen Wilson:
Me too.
Micah Lawrence:
After going the whole summer getting really, really hot.
Just getting some that, I love the wind and the fresh air.
It just, man, it's fantastic.
Karen Wilson:
It is. It, kind of, just rejuvenates us after what these dog days
have done.
Micah Lawrence:
Love playing outside.
You know, whether it's you know, we talked about disc golf
before, you know, being able to have nice cooler weather and just
it just man, it makes such a great time.
Karen Wilson:
Well, I know the kickoff to fall for many of us is the fair
season.
And we are headed into the full throttle of the fair.
I know we've got lots of pageants that Channel Six is filming
and all of that's going to be live.
Is that your favorite thing about the fair?
Micah Lawrence:
A little bit.
Bryan Kell:
As the father to a young, young lady.
Karen Wilson:
Yes. Well, I think our viewers love it because they can sit at
home and watch it.
It really doesn't matter if it's hot that night or cold that
night.
Bryan Kell:
Or if they're out of state. Obviously, being able to catch a
niece or a nephew, you know, kind of doing all that.
Yeah, it's good.
Karen Wilson:
Yeah. So the first one that we're going to have live is the
Friday night pageant, and we're on Warren County right now,
the teen and the pre-teen.
And then Saturday night, we'll be having the Tiny Fairest live.
And then, of course, the granddaddy, the first pageant on Monday
night, which is the Fairest of the Fair.
And then Tuesday night will be the Little Fairest of the Fair.
Now, just going back a little bit.
Also, we are filming in cooperation with Warrior Media, the
White County Fair pageants.
Now because that's on Labor Day, we tape those, and they will be
airing during this time.
So it won't be live, but you will get to see those White County
girls as well.
Now one of the big things going on, which is Thursday night,
which is Sammy Kershaw.
That's exciting.
Back on Warren County again, Sammy Kershaw.
What, of course, we're getting into the, I guess he was the 90s
country music?
Bryan Kell:
Very strong in the 90s and early 2000.
Karen Wilson:
What's y'alls favorite Sammy song?
Micah Lawrence:
Well, as you guys know, I'm not a big fan of country music, but I
have heard Sammy Kershaw, and of course, "She Don't Know She's
Beautiful."
Bryan Kell:
Great song.
Micah Lawrence:
So, yeah. Can't beat that one.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah. Yeah. For me, "Queen of My Double Wide" is hard not to
beat.
And then for one that's really thought provoking, "Matches" is
one of my favorites by him as well too.
Karen Wilson:
Yeah, I listened to that a little bit before we went on, and I
had not heard that song before.
And the video for "Queen of m]My Double Wide" is so fun.
Bryan Kell:
Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench.
That is a great line, one of the best lines in country music.
She's the Charlie Daniels of the torque wrench.
Karen Wilson:
Yeah, so. That's going to be – I have a feeling, you know, if the
weather's good, he's going to draw a really big crowd that night
at the Warren County Fair.
And then of course, like I said, the White County pageants will
be airing on there.
And then you're going to Coffee County also and filming the ATV
races.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah, that's going to be very interesting.
When we kind of came up with the schedule for that, I was like,
what does that mean?
What does that look like? And I don't think we've ever done that
before.
Karen Wilson:
Not there.
Bryan Kell:
So you guys out there will be figuring out as much as I will with
what that's going to look like.
So yeah, that'll be fun to, we're always looking – I think that
over the years as we've been doing this, we're always excited
about something new coming to a fair, whether it's a demolition
derby that we've done, I think at White County, if I remember.
Karen Wilson:
Yes, we've done a rodeo in Tracy City.
Bryan Kell:
Absolutely. So anytime that we see something that's just kind of
out of the norm, we're like, that would look good.
Let's try that. So I'm excited about that.
Karen Wilson:
We've tried a few things too, like greased pig contest and stuff.
It's just not great TV folks.
Bryan Kell:
No, no, we'll save you from that.
Karen Wilson:
Wish it were, but it's slow going, catching those pigs.
So also, September is a popular time for car shows.
We've got the Heroes and Hot Rods Car Show.
That's here in Warren County on September 14th.
And that's at 5290 Shells Ford Road.
That's to honor veterans.
And then in Coffee County, the fourth annual Legends Meet Car
Show.
And Bryan, you found that one.
All the proceeds to that go to the –
Bryan Kell:
Angel tree or something like that.
You know, sometimes when you're scouring through events and
Facebook's really good for doing that, especially folks that put
those things out there.
I saw hundreds of people that were like very interested in this.
And so yeah, I thought that was pretty cool.
Karen Wilson:
Yeah.
Bryan Kell:
Especially for a great cause.
Karen Wilson:
Oh, it is, it is.
And then there's a fall market going on in Sparta, September the
20th through the 22nd.
That's always a fun. People are getting ready to shop for
Christmas and such.
And then of course, football games.
You mentioned that.
We'll be having lots of live football games with White County.
September the 20th we'll be live, and that's homecoming.
And then the 27th, and then October the 31st will be Senior
Night.
So if you're looking for those special nights, we'll be there
filming that.
Bryan Kell:
Can I jump in real quick on this?
It just hit me. Is that kudos to, again, a high school in our in
our service area, Coffee County.
They're starting up a streaming product for them to help bring
their high school football games to
near and far, as we've talked about, both inside the county and
outside the county and around the world.
And we're proud to be sponsoring the streaming side of that that
they're going to be doing at Coffee County High School.
And also working in conjunction, we just saw or are going to
see, WMSR as we talk about them and the Wayback Machine
here in just a bit. But yeah, that's a new venture that they've
got going on there.
And we're proud to be a part of helping bring that to folks of
Coffee County and beyond.
Karen Wilson:
Oh yeah. I love going by.
We tend to eat at J&G a lot, and their scoreboard is, you can
see it from the road when you go by.
And, of course, their stadium is at their middle school.
But to see that there, I know that everybody's really excited
for high school football.
And then local events going on in Crossville.
They've got Friday at the crossroads, which will be October the
4th.
And also right before that, the Homestead Apple Festival,
September 28th.
So there is plenty to do around this area.
We could go into October, but probably, you know, let's just
stop at September for now.
Bryan Kell:
We'll do that next podcast. How about that?
Karen Wilson:
Yeah. And, of course, there'll be a new edition of the
September/October BLC Connection magazine will be coming
out. Our feature story, this is the historic Mitchell Drugstore
in Crossville, which I was not aware of, but
a great place to go get their – soda fountain is not open – but
a great place to get a burger.
They have a Liar's Club, which, you know, every town has that
that meets there and has breakfast in the morning.
And then we're also doing a story on Bigfoot Adventures in
Grundy County.
That's a great place to take the kids, especially in the fall.
Ziplining, camping, hiking, all the things.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah, yeah. And one more thing again, and hopefully we'll be
doing one more podcast before we hit October.
But October 1st Ben Lomand officially turns 70.
So yeah, a lot to come, a lot going on.
Magazine, really good job this time on the magazine.
It's full of a lot of great information.
Karen Wilson:
It is, and as you said, October, we hope to have another podcast
filmed by then, but we'll be focusing a lot on Cooperative
Month and customer appreciation.
We work into that.
And then of course, the 70th anniversary.
So lots to talk about in October.
But that's it for this segment of everything going on.
And, we'll wrap that up.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah.
Micah Lawrence:
All right guys, welcome back.
We're talking about some new technology or different technology
that you see out there.
And we're going to talk about something called The Wayback
Machine.
And Bryan, I know you and I talked about this, but Karen, have
you ever heard of The Wayback Machine?
Karen Wilson:
I haven't, and I think what I'm going to hear is really cool.
It reminds me of like time travel or something almost.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah. So do you know where The Wayback Machine originally came
from or the name came from?
Karen Wilson:
No. You do.
Okay. Yeah.
Micah Lawrence:
So he knows, and I had to ask him.
But back in, come to find out, I had to look it up.
In the 60s, there was a cartoon called The Rocky and Bullwinkle
Show.
Karen Wilson:
Okay.
Micah Lawrence:
And as a part of that, they had a few segments for the Sherman
and Mr.
Peabody. As part of that, they had this Wayback Machine where
they would go back in time and
visit historical stuff.
So these gentlemen made a website called The Wayback Machine.
So let me explain kind of what it does.
It keeps an archive basically of the internet.
Karen Wilson:
That sounds almost impossible.
Micah Lawrence:
And it's quite large.
So I looked up some stats.
It was launched in 1996.
So basically they've had content since 1996.
As of January 3rd, 2024, they've have 860 billion web
pages saved.
But here's the crazy part that that gets me, is it's well over
99PB of data.
Bryan Kell:
Can you help us understand what that means?
Karen Wilson:
I'm sure it must be huge.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah, absolutely. So yeah, it's believe it or not, from my
perspective, this is massive.
So, you know, if you think about all our cell phones nowadays,
you got them in, you know, 16, 32, 64, 256 of
gigabytes. Okay.
So when we talk about a gigabyte, that's 1000MB.
All right. So let's put it in a little bit higher perspective is
most computers nowadays are starting to come with one maybe
two terabytes worth of hard drive space.
Now one terabyte is 1000GB.
So when we talk about a petabyte, it is 1000TB.
So what we're saying is 99PB, which is 9900
terabytes.
Bryan Kell:
Wow. That's a lot.
Micah Lawrence:
When we talk about space, that is a lot of space.
And I also found out that they are a nonprofit organization.
So in terms of being able to store this and be able to provide
it as a nonprofit to me is really impressive.
Karen Wilson:
That is.
Bryan Kell:
So to kind of talk about it a little bit about how this works.
We've got it pulled up here, and the way it works is you go in
here, and you type in what website it might be, and once you type
it in, it will, you know, you can look at the different pieces
and parts of that website, but go ahead and click go there for
me, Bryan. And when you do that, it's going to give you a
calendar.
And from this calendar –
Of course, we've got different options.
We chose Ben Lomand Connect.
Micah Lawrence:
So yeah. So he searched just for Ben Lomand.
You can search for a direct website.
So yeah, let's look at the Ben Lomand Connect here.
And it takes a few minutes.
But it's going to give you a calendar.
And from this calendar, it's going to show you multiple years.
And you'll also notice some different colored dots, and what it
is as changes were made to your website.
Bryan Kell:
Some of these by Karen.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah. Some of these by Karen.
They will start archiving that, so that way you can go back and
look at it.
And so what we've done is kind of a fun thing to look at is
let's look at some of the historical Ben Lomand sites.
I think we've got one of those.
Bryan Kell:
We do.
Micah Lawrence:
Let's take a look at some of those, what it would look like.
And now it does take a little bit of time to, once you click on
the time frame, and it takes a little bit to load.
It's got to load because you know these this is old data.
You know, it's just sitting there ready to go.
But this is kind of one of our old websites.
Bryan Kell:
2012.
Karen Wilson:
Yes. This was one of my favorites.
This is really the first time we revamped our website from head
to toe.
And we utilized you see a photo of our retiree now, Harry up
there.
But we did an image campaign back then.
And so we put our people on the website, and that was a first
for us.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah, yeah. And I want to think too, here's the beautiful – we
typed in Ben Lomand Connect.
If you want to go back and see versions of Ben Lomand telephone
websites, we've got some of those in here too.
So, you know, if your company's changed names like Ben Lomand
has, you can do different searches for different things and look
at all the Ben Lomand Connect websites, and then go back and
look at all the Ben Lomand Telephone websites, which we will.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah. So yeah, I got a lot of different things.
So, I think we also have another one of our older.
Yeah, that was a really old one.
And, what I noticed about this one, I don't know how many people
even remember Propel, but Propel was
a dial up accelerator.
So to kind of give you a time frame here, this is when dial up
was still around, and this is when dial up was
kind of on its way out a little bit.
But I remember when I first started here, dial up was still a
big thing.
That, you know, they just came out with 56k, you know, it was
super fast.
But yeah, this kind of gives you some age of what's going on
here.
Of course you can see FireWire DSL.
That was when DSL just started being big.
So, it's really cool to go back and look at some of these
historical websites.
Bryan Kell:
This is 2005, if folks are curious about that.
And I was going to say, we spent last podcast talking about
multigigging, and now we're jumping back to 2005 and talking
about FireWire DSL, which is a big deal.
Karen Wilson:
And let's talk about the application of some of this.
Like as a consumer or somebody that's just curious, why am I
wanting to go back way back?
Bryan Kell:
Outside of nostalgia.
Karen Wilson:
Right, right.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah. So obviously, you know, going back and looking at stuff
historically is interesting.
You know, if you're wanting to look up a new site of maybe what
happened on this day, that's very good information.
One of the things I've used it for before as well is, you know,
let's say you have an old refrigerator that's been running for
15, 20 years.
Well, it might be so old that the manufacturers decide to take
it off their website.
And, you know, you can go back using this site and see old
documents that they might have on there and might get, you know,
let's say, hey, I need to know how to disassemble this.
Those documents will be there.
So there's been a few times I've had to go back and look at
certain people's websites to be able to gain something that they
used to have on there that as of right now is no longer
accessible, which happens quite often.
So it's got a lot of good uses.
Those are the ones I've used for, but I still think it's great
and exciting to see that, you know, these guys, when they built
it, they had the intention of archiving everything because web
pages were changing so fast at that point in time
that they wanted to make sure that they created a history of
what it used to look like.
Well, and what's interesting to see is the transition from, you
know, they used to be very static websites.
They didn't change.
There wasn't really a whole lot of graphics, because the more
graphics you had, the slower the web page would load up.
And so you'll see less text and you know, but nowadays you got,
you know, videos and
graphics and less text.
It's just it's amazing to see the transition between all of
them.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah, it really is. We can all, or at least a lot of us, Micah
even, can remember those days in which it was a big deal to end
up on a website looking pretty cool like this right here.
Karen Wilson:
Oh, yeah. And, you know, we didn't think of back then as much
updating websites and especially it took mom and
pop companies a while to come along and to have.
Nowadays there's Wix and even more than that where we can get on
there and change things ourselves.
But back then it was not as user friendly as it is now.
Micah Lawrence:
You kind of had to have a programmer.
Karen Wilson:
Yes, yes.
Micah Lawrence:
But now I will find, I'll give you a little trivia here.
So nowadays most web page editors like Wix and some of these
other ones, they use something called WYSIWYG.
Have you ever heard of that?
Karen Wilson:
No, I have not.
Micah Lawrence:
All right, you know what? So it's an acronym.
It stands for "what you see is what you get." And so the idea
is, you know, you're you're dragging and dropping things, and the
way you see it, that's how it's going to turn out.
So WYSIWYG.
Karen Wilson:
But that, you know, you're not having to really like me, as a
novice putting program in there.
You're able to click, drag, boom.
It's there.
Micah Lawrence:
Well, and I think that was the idea is, you know, they noticed,
you know, people that knew how to program web pages and, you
know, they weren't readily available.
And, of course, you know, you got your mom and pops that they
definitely don't know.
They're wanting to get their name out there and be, you know,
have a presence.
And so this allows them to go out there and create a nice simple
website.
So it's nice and clean and then say, hey, here's my product, you
know.
So it's.
Karen Wilson:
Well, and there's still a lot to be said for a website because
not every customer is on Facebook.
And I've, you know, there are businesses that kind of take that
route only.
But I still like to see a good website with information on it
that's current.
Bryan Kell:
So again, just all kinds, whether you're from Warren County,
Coffee County, wherever at something's in there from your
past, or a part of history that you can be able to grab on to.
Micah Lawrence:
Well, and what's great about this one, this kind of explains it.
Notice up here in the upper right it says Hurricane Katrina
relief efforts.
Bryan Kell:
Very good.
Micah Lawrence:
So that's interesting.
You know, I think.
You and I talked about 9/11 and some of these other historical
events being able to go back and say, well, what what was going
on at that time? It's really neat to to see that.
Bryan Kell:
And again, if folks are curious about where they can end up
finding this, do you have that?
I guess I can look on the address.
It is archive.org.
Micah Lawrence:
It's archive. Simple.
Bryan Kell:
Or do a search for Wayback Machine, and that'll pop up on there
as well.
Micah Lawrence:
Yep. Absolutely.
Karen Wilson:
I'm just, as you said, so impressed too, that this is a nonprofit
doing this.
It kind of reminds me of a Wikipedia type thing that, hey,
they're just doing it.
And how often, if we know about it, we're going to utilize it a
lot.
Micah Lawrence:
Yeah, that's right.
Bryan Kell:
Micah, thanks for taking us way back.
Micah Lawrence:
Absolutely.
Bryan Kell:
Well, that is another BLC Connection Podcast.
But before we make it officially wrapped up, Micah, how can
folks get in touch with us and also be able to catch the podcast?
Micah Lawrence:
So if you want to ask us any questions or have any comments, you
can email us at BLCPodcast@BenLomand.net.
If you want to find this podcast, we're on Spotify.
We're on Apple, Google, all those different ones that are out
there.
So, you know, try to find us, and we're there.
Bryan Kell:
And now for the second straight time, video.
Micah Lawrence:
Oh, I forgot about that. We're on YouTube.
Karen Wilson:
Well, and you know, the whole audio thing I mean, what a, you
know, great way when you're in your car, watering your plants,
anything, you plug it into your headphones, and you just listen
to the good stories.
Bryan Kell:
And also one other thing we need to mention too, which is that
the rock of all of this.
And that's BLTV, Channel Six.
You can also catch it on there as well too.
So many different ways to do it.
Karen, we've got a magazine that's coming out.
You've already talked a little bit about what's coming up with
that, but anything else I guess you'd like to throw out, whether
it's a magazine or Channel Six, anything else?
Karen Wilson:
We'll be doing another edition of the small business podcast, and
I am going to be working to get
the, you've heard of the Coen brothers?
This is the Stinson brothers.
Bryan Kell:
Yeah, that's good.
Karen Wilson:
They are a multigenerational jewelry business, have maintained
this business in one small town, McMinnville.
And I'm just fascinated by their story.
And we're going to have them on the podcast coming up soon.
Bryan Kell:
Very, very good. That's exciting.
And we didn't mention this in the segment before, but we knocked
out an August election.
And then just a really big tease that's months down the way.
Stay tuned on Channel Six I guess for November election
coverage.
We'll be revealing what that's going to be in the weeks and
months to come.
Karen Wilson:
Yes, that's right, we will.
Of course, the big one will be the presidential election, and
we've got to visit all the different
county precincts and see what else is wrapping up.
I know a lot of city elections going on, and we'll try to cover
that to the best of our ability.
Bryan Kell:
Absolutely, absolutely.
And as far as our next podcast, we're unsure at this point, but
if you'd like to give us a suggestion, Micah has already given
you that email, but it bears repeating again,
BLCPodcast@BenLomand.net.
If you've got a suggestion on anything good, bad or indifferent,
we'd love the feedback and so please reach out to us for that.
So for Micah Lawrence, for Karen Wilson.
I'm Bryan Kell. Stay safe and stay connected.