Alan (Gidgie) Lane 1951 - 1956

Ralph Sarich was not the only inventor to emerge from the Midland Technical School class of railway apprentices  from 1951- 1956.  Alan Lane or Gidgie as he was referred to began to be recognised for finding new ways of doing things not long after completing his apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter and welder.

Alan adapted this method  unbeknown to his sub-foreman who got into trouble for not supervising his employee properly.  When it was realised what Alan had achieved he was paid £10 for his innovation.

 

During the mid-sixties, he extended his skills by transferring to the aircraft industry with Commonwealth Aircraft.  One of the main contracts was building Icara missile handling systems for all the destroyers.  The systems were built and tested in Melbourne and pulled apart and transported to Sydney where they were installed into the ships.  Alan was also involved with manufacturing components for the Mirage. 

  

In the seventies he was attracted to the mining industry where there was a rapid expansion of engineering to facilitate the repair of mining equipment.  He became involved with the repair of front wheel assemblies on iron ore trucks and came up with an innovative technique that not only saved the industry many thousands of dollars – it gave his company a monopoly on maintaining front wheel assemblies. 

His innovative method involved heating and rapid cooling to shrink the king post sufficiently for it to be pressed out.  Once the components were apart repairs could be carried out on both items.  This method was then used as a standard procedure for all further repairs, allowing for a repair to be carried out rather than the part being cut out and discarded.

Some of Alan’s other inventions include a system for hanging anodes in chrome tanks for chroming parts, and a unique design of cir-clip.  

Thanks to Alan Lane for photographs and information for this story.

 Back to Profiles
Back to Metals
Back to 1950-1959