Joseph E. Podgor (1905-1999) founded Joseph E. Podgor Co. Inc. in Center City, Pennsylvania. Podgor was an innovator in the development of screenprinting ink and techniques.
Podgor was born in Philadelphia but lived in Pennsauken and Ocean City, N.J., before moving to Boca Raton, Florida, in 1997. Podgor attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for four years and was a member of the editorial board of the Daily Pennsylvanian.
Career
Podgor began his career in the 1930s selling wallpaper supplies and gypsum board in a spin-off from his father’s pre-Depression business. As much of the wallpaper was screenprinted, Podgor sold screenprinting supplies at 618 Market Street in Philadelphia. He became an industry leader in promoting educational clinics and workshops to make the newest techniques widely available. The store supplied artists and department-store window trimmers and became known for its Christmas display. In the 1960s, he moved the business to Pennsauken, where he specialized in supplying materials for screenprinting.
Podgor used his screen-printing skills to help the Frankford Arsenal develop a printed circuit as an electronic proximity fuse in a 50mm artillery shell during World War II. The arsenal was involved in many innovations in munitions, and numerous Allied and German munition manufacturers were working on circuit boards of varying designs for various military branches. Podgor demonstrated to Frankford officials how screenprinting could increase production speed and improve the reliability of hand-painted circuits.
Patents
In 1956, he was awarded a U.S. Patent (#2,764,084) for a squeegee-supporting device for a screenprinting press.
In 1959, he was awarded a U.S. Patent (#2,881,700) for a graphics screenprinting press (One Arm Squeegee)
In 1972, he was awarded a U.S. Patent (#3,696,738) for a screenprinting stencil apparatus and method.
In 1978, he was awarded a U.S. Patent (#4,091,726) for a magnetic registration apparatus for a screenprinting press.
In 1988, he was awarded a U.S. Patent (#4,749,196) for an optical sighting device for a putter.
Retirement
He sold the business in the late 1970s and officially retired. However, he kept abreast of industry developments and lectures even in retirement.
Groups and Associations
Screen Printing Association International – He co-founded the Screen Printing Association, today known as the Printing United Alliance. Podgor was considered one of the foremost innovators and developers of screenprinting technology in the 1940s and 1950s.
Parmele Award – In 1969, Podgor received the Parmele Award, the association’s highest honor; he was cited as a “pioneer in the development of electronic circuitry and precision screen printing,” according to Screen Printing magazine’s February 1970 issue.
Member ASDPT – In 1976, Podgor was inducted into the Academy of Screen and Digital Print Technologies (ASDPT).
Rotary International – He was a lifetime member of Rotary International and a longtime member of the Camden Rotary.
Fraternal Organization of Freemasonry – Podgor served as a Mason for many years.
Death
He died in Boca Raton, Florida, at the age of 94. He is survived by his sons, Joseph E. Podgor, Jr., David A. Podgor, and two grandchildren.