Founded in 1946, Rothenbuhler Engineering is a privately owned and operated Engineering and Manufacturing company producing robust and sophisticated electronic products; designed to operate in the rugged mining, logging, military/law enforcement and other demanding environments.
Click here to read the story of our founder ~ Sedro-Woolley City Scene Magazine, May 2107
Rothenbuhler Engineering was founded by Howard Ernest Rothenbuhler in Acme, Washington. Rothenbuhler Engineering began by building radio controls for the logging industry. The Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle radio system still leads the logging industry radio market in both the United States and Canada, making logging safer for its workers and increasing daily yield. Howard Ernest Rothenbuhler, shown here, is demonstrating an early Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle unit. The Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle is used all over the world, wherever high lead logging, in particular, is done. Today, remote control radio equipment is used throughout many industries to control overhead carriages, locomotives, construction cranes and even fire hydrants.
The Mobile Lab concept was introduced.
Custom engineering and manufacturing is another area of extensive experience and skill at Rothenbuhler Engineering. In 1960, Rothenbuhler Engineering designed the first solid state repeater for the Bonneville Power Administration as well as equipment to measure the corona discharge on a 500,000 volt DC line.
Rothenbuhler Engineering entered the security industry with the manufacture and marketing of 35 mm surveillance cameras. Bank alarm systems were designed and gradual expansion over the years has led to the development of a complete line of security equipment for financial institution market, ranging from small local alarm systems to sophisticated central stations. Rothenbuhler electronic security equipment is not only sold in North and South America, but also in Japan. A remote teller system for banks was designed, patented and sold to a large bank supply company. A sophisticated interrogating radio-link alarm system was developed by Rothenbuhler Engineering and installed in Caracas, Venezuela. This system has been expanded over the years to include 72 branch banks and a central station. Two more central stations were developed in San Juan, Puerto Rico
A 256-point surveillance scanning system was developed and used in the security systems of nuclear power plants. A sophisticated monitoring system was designed for the City of Seattle to monitor and report the reservoir levels behind earth filled dams. Working with other contractors, Rothenbuhler Engineering designed, prototyped and manufactured a computer controlled wind generator for Southern California Edison. This unit was tested successfully in Palm Springs, California, and has pioneered the controlled generation of electricity from wind power.
Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle Canada, Ltd. formed to better support our Canadian Customers.
Rothenbuhler Engineering began supplying radio controlled remote firing devices. Today these products represent a large portion of our business, and are being used world wide for demolition and mining.
The safety of the worker is always paramount. Remote controlled radio equipment allows a worker to stand safely in view, yet out of the danger area and have full control of complex industrial equipment. Due to the success of the Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle product line, a company was formed and given the trade name in 1986.
Our alarm was used in conjunction with Chubb Safe equipment in the Federal Reserve Bank.
Neal Rothenbuhler named company president.
Company began supplying Remote Firing Devices (RFD) for Military contracts.
First commercial RFD released to market as the 1662 model.
Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle Mark III introduced to logging markets.
The 1664 commercial RFD was introduced to mining industry.
The 1670 model was developed to now include underground and Surface Blasting.
Talkie Tooter® RadioWhistle Canada becomes a wholly owned subsidiary.
