History and Culture

Half a Century of Growth & Achievement

MAGSEAL was founded in 1954 by George E. Colby and Robert L. Stevenson who patented the first magnetically energized rotary seal, patent number 2843403 in 1958. Today, the company is routinely applying its technology and advancing the state of the art in advanced power systems applied in aerospace and in high precision applications as a Ducommun company.

July 29, 1954

Magnetic Seal Corp founded and located in Georgiaville, Rhode Island

Original Magnetic Seal Product Brochure

Early 1960’s

Moved to 166 Bay Spring Avenue, West Barrington, RI

Top photos from left to right: Ken Neri and Bruce Place; Founder’s George and Richard Colby

Bottom photos from left to right: Richard and Annabel Colby in the Front Office; Lapping & Packaging Room

1963

To solve a leakage problem from a competitor's seal, MAGSEAL conducts a fleet-wide retrofit (American, TWA, United, Pan Am and others) of Constant Speed Drives (CSD's) manufactured by Sundstrand, now known as UTAS

1968

Initiated European Representation

1982

Farnborough Air Show

1986

Moved to 365 Market Street, Warren, RI

About 1987

Longtime Magseal Representative in France shown with the first CNC Machine placed in service at the Warren, RI Facility.

1980’s and 90’s

Early 1990’s

MAGSEAL PNR 84091

The largest seal ever made by Magnetic Seal Corp

It successfully sealed the counter-rotating coaxial propeller shafts on the UDF (un-ducted fan) power-plant developed by NASA.

2004

MAGSEAL Celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary.

2021

MAGSEAL becomes part of the Ducommun family of companies.

Scroll to top
LinkedIn