Leadership

Hot Manufacturing Stories Through the Years: 1970 to 1994

Feb. 5, 2015

A look back offers surprising glimpses of the future.

The more things change, as the saying goes, the more they stay the same.

Such is the finding with this brief glance at cover stories from IndustryWeek's first 25 years. We find in 1970 a cover story bemoaning soaring medical costs and calls for a national health-care system structured like social security. In '77, a story about the shortage of skilled workers. Several features announcing the breathtaking technology breakthroughs -- remember when CAD/CAM and personal computers were new? -- and competition from emerging Asian countries.

Enjoy!

About the Author

Patricia Panchak | Patricia Panchak, Former Editor-in-Chief

Focus: Competitiveness & Public Policy

Call: 216-931-9252

Follow on Twitter: @PPanchakIW

In her commentary and reporting for IndustryWeek, Editor-in-Chief Patricia Panchak covers world-class manufacturing industry strategies, best practices and public policy issues that affect manufacturers’ competitiveness. She delivers news and analysis—and reports the trends--in tax, trade and labor policy; federal, state and local government agencies and programs; and judicial, executive and legislative actions. As well, she shares case studies about how manufacturing executives can capitalize on the latest best practices to cut costs, boost productivity and increase profits.

As editor, she directs the strategic development of all IW editorial products, including the magazine, IndustryWeek.com, research and information products, and executive conferences.

An award-winning editor, Panchak received the 2004 Jesse H. Neal Business Journalism Award for Signed Commentary and helped her staff earn the 2004 Neal Award for Subject-Related Series. She also has earned the American Business Media’s Midwest Award for Editorial Courage and Integrity.

Patricia holds bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and English from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in Journalism from Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. She lives in Cleveland Hts., Ohio, with her family.