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Sarah Gerrish: I know your name, Stanley, but could you please pronounce
it for me for accuracy?
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Stanley Dudzinski: You want me to pronounce it? My name is Stanley, middle
name is John. Last name is Dudzinski
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Gerrish: Was that your father's name also? Also, I mean your first name.
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Dudzinski: My father's name was. His name was John, but not Stanley.
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Gerrish: And how about your mother's maiden name?
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Dudzinski: My mother's maiden name was Walker. It was very short, but
nevertheless, it was Polish.
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Gerrish: Um. What country is your ethnic origins in?
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Dudzinski: Poland. Yes. And if you want to know any background of mine and
may I express myself this way? All right. I was born 1911, April 15th. And
after that, my parents returned to Poland in 1921. There was myself. My
brother and sister. There was three of us and 1931. It was actually 32,
which was growing up at that time in Poland. You must make the decision. Up
to that time, I was considered to be a US citizen because I was born in US.
But when you become 18 in Poland up to 25, it was compulsory. You have to
make up your mind. Do you want to be Polish citizen or American citizen?
But if you were to stay in Poland beyond 25, you have to go to service.
That means an army. But after I talked with my parents and my father's
brother, who live near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, I wrote to him and say, Uncle
Frank, I say, if you loan me some money, I would like to return to us. And
I had no problem to return because I was considered to be a US citizen. So
my Uncle Frank, he was this ordinary person working in a coal mines, but
nevertheless he scraped some money. He sent it to me and I returned. Do you
ask? And actually, I stay in his place for no longer than one week. And I
got myself a job at Saint Vincent College, which is a well known college
run, Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
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Dudzinski: And I got a job working in a bakery. Believe it or not, I learn
how to make pies and cakes and so on. And after working there for about two
years, I got acquainted with a person that he was from Pittsburgh. His name
was Mr. J. Ranelli, which he was well known person at that time in
Pittsburgh. He was like. Caterer, which is run he runs a cafeteria. If
anyone that talks to you in those days that maybe been around Saint Vincent
College. They quickly would know. J. Ranelli he was catering. Okay. So I
got acquainted with him. I worked for him. Then I come, and in 36, I
returned to Pittsburgh with him and he run a catering business for Duquesne
University. And I did a different job when I left the bakery at Saint
Vincent College. Then I did many things around Duquesne University. I tried
to go to evening school to learn English, that which I know some. But
during my ten year period in Poland, I kind of forgot it again. And in
1936, after Saint Patrick, during Saint Patrick's Day, which many people
will remember, we have a tremendous flood in Pittsburgh, but the triangle
was completely flooded. And so on, and I was able to get a job working for
PPG cleaning the warehouse because it was completely flooded just to
straighten things out and so on.
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Dudzinski: And after that job was completed, I learned that PPG.
Pittsburgh Plate Glass company. Maybe that would be more specific. They
bought a building at Auckland, which was owned by Knights of Columbus.
That's a Catholic type of nationwide organization. Are you an Italian? No,
no, no. That's not Italian. It's a it's a well, it's a Catholic. I mean,
you could be Italian or Spanish. You name it, it'd be anyone. That's a
strictly us Catholic type organization. But nevertheless, the Pittsburgh
Plate Glass bought the building and bought the lot. They were going to
build. Large research laboratory. It really right across the street from
Heinz Memorial or Webster Hall across the Mellon Institute and that area.
So I got acquainted with the man and he told me what he was doing. He said,
But they needed someone to go there and stay for a while because the
building will be empty. And that was 1936. And we said, somebody have to
maintain it, keep a heat, this and that. And I asked for a job. And sure
enough, I got a job. And I stay in that place for about six months all by
myself just to maintain a place during the time that I tried to change the
things from. Yeah, as the building was for some, they were for teaching to
laboratories and that.
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Gerrish: Well, how old were you at this point?
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Dudzinski: Well, at that time I would be say 22. And in late 1936 PPG
moved in. It started as a research lab. Okay. And there were people brought
from. General Office and fellow named Mr. Cox. He was the research
director, which he made me, laboratory technician. And we started working
on Pittsburgh at that time to organize Pittsburgh Corning Corporation late
in 1936. And that was really before Pittsburgh. Corning Corporation was
really on a paper scale, and very few of us knew who Pittsburgh Corning
was. In Pittsburgh can start producing glass blocks. And we did a
tremendous amount of. Research on the Glass blog. We've done all kind.
Physical testing, you name it. We run such a thing as freezing wind
resistant motors and Nonleague motors and many, many things. So then we we
had all kinds we had successes. We had failures. In 1937, Pittsburgh
Corning went in production of glass blocks, which many people can see, many
places from Pittsburgh and you name it, run schools and become very, very
popular. It was. Tremendous success that was so successful that actually
Pittsburgh decided to build number two plant in Sedalia because it was such
a great demand for the glass blocks. They build a plant in Sedalia and for
a number of years was very successful. We had a great competition with
Owens, Illinois and Glass Block Field. But as time went on, the
architects.
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Gerrish: Did you go to Sedalia?
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Dudzinski: No, I didn't go to Sedalia, but I just stay in in Pittsburgh.
In Pittsburgh. But during the time that we did all this testing and 42, it
was decided that we were doing so well and. So happened that the zoning
ran. Auckland didn't permit PG to build anytime commercial building in that
area because there was Ruskin apartment and church across the street and
Melon Institute there that a lot to build any kind of rise high rise
apartments. So PG have to change their mind and actually if I understand
right since they were not able to build the building for their own purpose,
they donated that property to. University of Pittsburgh. And later on,
there was. Tv stations. A QED. Yes. Yeah. There was a big sign that
nothing. Yes, that's what a broadcasting for a long, long time. But
nevertheless. But prior to that we were all the group was transferred to
Fort Allegheny and the Forum Research Laboratory.
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Gerrish: And what, what year was that?
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Dudzinski: That was like 42.
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Gerrish: 42. 42.
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Dudzinski: So we went. The port. Port Allegany, as we will continue
working on glass blocks and glass blocks took off.
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Gerrish: Then how long were you at Port Allegany?
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Dudzinski: I was in Port Allegany from 42 to 62. But okay, so the war come
in. I know what time us was involved in war. Like 41. 42 at that time.
Okay, well, I. I know that the Germany invaded Poland in 39, but I believe
that the US was involved and 42 and so happened that up to then, you know,
they were using for insulation. Will you say cold storage? Okay. Large cold
storage, packing houses for insulation. They were using cork and cork. If I
understand correctly, probably 90% came from Spain. But when the war came,
the supply was curtailed. It was. Industry were not able to get proper
volume of cork. So Pittsburgh Corning came up and we will start working on
foam glass, which is a lot of people even at Pittsburgh Corning be in
business for. Say since 44 and 76. But a lot of people, when you say fungus
still doesn't mean much or doesn't ring a bell, but it's really it's an
insulating type of a product. So we did tremendously a lot of work.
So-called fungus insulation. And we come up with this product which turned
out to be successful. And Pittsburgh Corning built a plant in Port
Allegheny. I believe it was either 42 or 43. And we spent. Many years
improving the product, which now the Pittsburgh Corning really That's our.
Main product. I mean, unless.
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Gerrish: You lived there for 20 years, then for.
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Dudzinski: 20 years or 20 years. Well, how would you say? Well, why we
lived for 20 years. So happened that. In around 60 or so the. Pittsburgh
has this great circle. I hope I pronounce it properly or not. Renaissance.
They start rebuilding the Renaissance. Renaissance. Start rebuilding the
Pittsburgh. And as I understand that the auto industry was asked to
contribute something to the city, to do something new. So our company,
which was then Mr. Bernheim as president, he said, Well, I can bring some
new employment to Pittsburgh by moving. Research lab from Fort Allegheny to
Pittsburgh. So Pittsburgh Corning Corporation. But the number of acres I
don't know exactly how many. And Plum Borough. That's where we are located
now. And they built quite modern research and development lab, which we
continue to work on. New products. And that's where we are now.
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Gerrish: Right. Okay. You want to.
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Dudzinski: You want to shut off the.
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Gerrish: Okay. Where were your parents born?
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Dudzinski: Well, my parents were born in Poland and City. Well, they came
from very small town in Poland, which, if you look on the map of Poland
map, you will find the name Sanok. And if you ask me what year my parents
came here, I really could not answer that. But, oh, I know that my father
came here and my mother and actually how they got together, you know,
that's beside the point. They got married and they had.
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Gerrish: Where did they live? In the United States. Oh.
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Dudzinski: In the car was small town near Latrobe, Pennsylvania, called
Whitney. It's a coal mining town. And actually, my father lived. In the
Whitney and you work in mines. Then I guess. And it's like anyone gets
tired working in a mine. So he. His family owned quite a bit of land in
Poland. So in 1921, which I was, I would be like ten years old. Then they
decide that they might as well return and have their own way of living,
which they were accustomed living on a farm. All right. So they returned to
Poland and he became self dependent on his farm. So he did things the way
he wanted. Then that's the way it happened. And then, as I say, I did left
country in 32 when I.
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Gerrish: I went to ask you, um. Well, like when you first lived in LA in
the La Trobe area, what type of neighborhood did you live in in?
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Dudzinski: You mean prior? Before I.
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Gerrish: Before you went back when you were ten years old. Do you remember
much about that?
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Dudzinski: No. No, not really. I cannot. It was a very small community.
Couldn't be. Not much. Well, I could be off one way or another way. Say,
probably if this population of 3 or 400. But the maximum. It's a small coal
mining town. No shopping centers, anything like that? No, nothing.
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Gerrish: But your your parents didn't like that, did they like the area
and just not the job? Your father didn't like the job or didn't like it
either?
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Dudzinski: No, he liked the area, but I think he got tired of working in a
in a coal mine. That's what the whole thing was, right? He thought he liked
to be self independent instead of be going to the darkness of the coal
mines.
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Gerrish: Um. So you then how long were you in? You went back when you were
ten years old, right? And then you stayed there until you were 17 or so?
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Dudzinski: Well, I 19 say I was born in 1911, and he we went back in 21.
So I was ten. Then I returned.
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Gerrish: And how did you like living in what do you recall about those
years in Poland?
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Dudzinski: Poland? Oh, I think it was really great. I really love.
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Gerrish: Was it a big adjustment to change from living in.
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Dudzinski: Well, it was well, yes, it was totally different. One thing I
always remember, I my parents, they have a pretty good sized farm and
raising all kinds of animals. And I become quite a horseman. I could ride
horses bareback without cell. You know, I really like all is here in
America, you would say Indian fashion. I become very efficient. And we had
it was it was a lot of fun and so happened that we live near good size.
Well, I guess actually you call it wasn't the size of Allegheny River, but
it was somewhat smaller. But it was very, very clean stream as we were
fishing in the summertime, wintertime, when the river froze, we were
skating on it. And when you're growing up. When you're 14, 15, you know,
you don't think nothing much but having lots of fun. And I believe that we
did have lots of fun. But then when I become up to the age where I have to
make a decision, I said, Well, Stanley, you you either become Polish
citizen or American. American citizen. And I said, Oh, heck, I know what I
read and heard about it. I say to many of us, to be on here on the farm, I
think I'd like to return, and I'm certainly glad I did. Well.
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Gerrish: What were some of the things that attracted you back to the
United States?
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Dudzinski: Well, simply because I. I wasn't too. I did love the farm, but
I thought I like to go back to the United States. Maybe. Opportunity. You
always read, you know, United States. Three, three, this and that. And
opportunity is so great. And I really am not sure myself. I cash in on all
those opportunities that are presented here because. I wasn't so free. I
was free, but I was still a stranger all along. I have to make a living so
I really could not care such a thing as really cash and a complete
education that I cannot do it. I try it, but I never got my such a thing as
BS degree or you name it. But I tried it. I went to school for schools for
many years, tried to teach in Poland.
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Gerrish: Or in the United.
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Dudzinski: States. Well, yes and well, in Poland I did through high
school. But here I tried to maybe hoping I was going to be able to get the
BS, you name it, and one, but I did get. What would you say the recognition
and fundamental engineering and which helped me tremendously in my work.
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Gerrish: Now, you say you returned to the Latrobe area when you. Right.
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Dudzinski: Right. And as I return, as I said, I saved my. My father's
brother and his wife are but 2 or 3 days. Then I got a job in Saint
Vincent. I know I mentioned that before or not, but all places I got a job.
I working in a bakery. Right.
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Gerrish: Right, right. Okay. Um, wh when you return, was that. That was
during the Great Depression. Yeah, right, right. Was that right before the
crash or.
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Dudzinski: Well, the crash that.
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Gerrish: That you returned.
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Dudzinski: It was 32, right?
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Gerrish: Oh, that was after. Yeah.
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Dudzinski: Well, you know, surprising thing is you say you asked me that
it was depression, but to me, I really didn't realize that there was such a
depression as American people, which I consider myself as American, too.
But since I was away, I was still a stranger. But believe it or not, I
mentioned even to your husband, Randy, that I got a job on Saint Vincent
College and I got a room and board and I was paid a dollar a day or $30 per
month. And at that.
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Gerrish: Point that.
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Dudzinski: At that point it was point. But it's been years. But many
American boys, which I worked with at that time, many of them from to come
and work. But they really they don't care if they had a job or not. Many of
them quit. But to me, it was something great. I wasn't self, I was self
dependent. I didn't depend on anybody. I have all the food I want.
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Gerrish: And you were lucky really at that point of the.
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Dudzinski: Oh, sure, I was.
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Gerrish: To get a job like that and.
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Dudzinski: In my communication which is not even now, isn't so excellent.
But I'm sure that you understand when I'm speaking to you, what I'm trying
to tell you. But as you say, at that time, I could not even communicate
properly and made a difference.
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Gerrish: And did you take English courses?
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Dudzinski: Yes, I took an evening. Right. I took tried to improve myself
in the evening. Right. Right. Do you still speak Polish?
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Gerrish: Polish? Well.
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Dudzinski: Not to date. You know, the strange thing is, just like anything
I when I first came, I could write, read very fluently. I could even, to a
degree, speak Russian. But as time went on, it really. I want to say is I
ran away from me or forgotten. You know, I still understand. But the many
things my aunt, she still lives in with me, nearly 12. Her son lives in
Chicago and he subscribes Polish paper to her, which she gets weekly. And I
go see her on occasion, maybe like once a month. So she has this bundle of
papers and she always say, Here, read it. So I try to read. I can read it,
but many words I cannot really believe it or not, I can. I cannot
understand it. It's because it's.
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Gerrish: You lose that.
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Dudzinski: You lose it, you lose.
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Gerrish: You're not using it all the time.
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That's right. Well.
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Gerrish: Is there anything that you you miss about Poland that you. You
know?
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Dudzinski: Well, not particularly.
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Gerrish: But you would like to go back and.
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Dudzinski: Well, as you know, you know, it wouldn't be too long now that I
do to retire. And I see how my finances are. And I don't believe I would
care to go back and stay there for simple reason. I have a son, that is.
Here in the US working on Santa Monica and more likely I would like to
visit, but more likely I will return. And when I retire, more likely I see
how things are. Maybe I want to settle and somewhere in California with a
warmer climate. But I would like to. I don't know if I mentioned to you or
not. I still do have one brother living in Poland and a sister. But the
thing is, the sister came a year ago from Poland. Visit me and my brother.
I have a brother and sister living in Chicago. So she came and visit us.
But the youngest brother, which he be like probably 38. Which I never seen
it. He come to this war after I left. I never see him. But he lives on in a
he built a new home, but nevertheless, he lives off the land which I was
riding horses on.
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Gerrish: So you haven't been back since?
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Dudzinski: No, I've never been back since I left. Right. My brother went
back, which he lives in Chicago. And he and his wife, he went there to stay
there for about 4 or 5 weeks. But I never had the opportunity to. Well, how
many brothers and sisters do you have? I have two brothers. Yes, two
brothers and two sisters. And the brother and sister live in Chicago. And
brother and sister live in Harlem.
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Dudzinski: Still.
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Gerrish: Well, has your son ever been to Poland?
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Dudzinski: Oh, yes. Yes, my son. He's been.
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Gerrish: You just have. You have one son?
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Dudzinski: Just one son. Well, you want to leave that back home. But, son.
Okay. My son, his name is exactly the same as my son John. But the junior.
He graduated from Carnegie Mellon. He got his BS master and doctor degree
at Mellon. Then he got a job with. Atomic International in Santa Monica.
You worked for them for a while, then you got a job with. Our research and
development, which ran a think tank place. Okay. Then he went back to
school and he got his post doctorate degree and he went to Poland. Warsaw.
He will live in Poland, Warsaw for about a year, which he worked for his
post doctoral degree, and he achieved his mission. And he did lots of
traveling. He covered practically all Europe, you name it. He was he
traveled through Russia way up to Arctic. He went through Finland, Sweden,
Norway, been in France, been in Italy. He has been in Turkey. And he
visited my homestead where I left but three time. And you know what's all
about, he said. Oh, Daddy. Say you really did. Made a mistake. You say when
you left, you say when I when I sing it. What your brother had to pull up.
You say working on a farm. He said, I don't have the equipment like you see
here in the US. Such a thing is big tractors.
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Dudzinski: Had to pick up.
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Dudzinski: Trax is a strictly still dumb but a kind of primitive way. You
have horses and and plows. They say you don't have mechanical milking.
Machines. You say you still do all by hand. So he feels.
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Gerrish: That that you were smart to. Yeah.
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Dudzinski: He thinks I come to the United States. I don't come to the
United States. Well, I say, I laugh and I say, Well, just imagine. I say by
then you probably want to be one of the boys working on the farm yourself.
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Gerrish: But your son.
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Gerrish: Does. Does he feel that he has been had any problems having a
Polish background growing up?
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Dudzinski: Oh, no. Yeah. Actually, he feels. Somewhat very proud of him.
And that is. Not because he's Polish, but evidently, if you have a job, you
are successful. What you're doing and the background really probably isn't
a big factor. I even asked him one time, Hey, John, you know, our name is
kind long. You say Dujenski. And many people cannot pronounce the name. I
say, why don't you come and cut it in two? He say to me, Dad, I believe he
said so. Last thing, I would never do it.
