So last night I was looking for info on the Dunbar-Nunn Corporation, and quite by chance I happened upon something very interesting. I found microfiche of the minutes entry of the Board of County Supervisors of Roanoke meeting on June 13, 1978. Here's the entry I found interesting (typos courtesy of the original author and transcribing software):
"RESOLUTION NO. 2075 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF ELECTRONIC SIREN UNITS TO BE USED BY THE ROANOKE COUNTY SHERIFF1S DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Sheriff1s Department has heretofore purchase
new patrol vehicles, which vehilces were not equipped with siren units; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Sheriff's Department, in a report to the
Board dated June 13, 1978, recommended that said vehicles be so equipped; and
WHEREAS, funds for this item are included in the 1977-78 budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Supervisors of
Roanoke County that the purchase of fifteen (15) electronic siren units with
attendant high wattage speakers, Unitrol 800Y/SCM from Dunbar-Nunn Corporation,
Anaheim, California, be, and the same is hereby, authorized at a cost of $256.6~
per siren and $103.50 per speaker."
So I looked up what one dollar in 1978 would be worth today: $4.55! In today's currency, that Unitrol 800Y would cost $1167.53, and the "attendant high wattage speaker" would be $470.93... kinda makes any of those ~$600 siren and light controllers available today seem like a bargain!
Footnotes: The day this meeting took place I wasn't quite 5 months old yet. And of those 15 Unitrol 800Y sirens mentioned at the meeting, 11 of them are sitting on the shelf in the next room from me. Such a strange coincidence that I found those meeting minutes!
"RESOLUTION NO. 2075 AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF ELECTRONIC SIREN UNITS TO BE USED BY THE ROANOKE COUNTY SHERIFF1S DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Sheriff1s Department has heretofore purchase
new patrol vehicles, which vehilces were not equipped with siren units; and
WHEREAS, the Roanoke County Sheriff's Department, in a report to the
Board dated June 13, 1978, recommended that said vehicles be so equipped; and
WHEREAS, funds for this item are included in the 1977-78 budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Supervisors of
Roanoke County that the purchase of fifteen (15) electronic siren units with
attendant high wattage speakers, Unitrol 800Y/SCM from Dunbar-Nunn Corporation,
Anaheim, California, be, and the same is hereby, authorized at a cost of $256.6~
per siren and $103.50 per speaker."
So I looked up what one dollar in 1978 would be worth today: $4.55! In today's currency, that Unitrol 800Y would cost $1167.53, and the "attendant high wattage speaker" would be $470.93... kinda makes any of those ~$600 siren and light controllers available today seem like a bargain!
Footnotes: The day this meeting took place I wasn't quite 5 months old yet. And of those 15 Unitrol 800Y sirens mentioned at the meeting, 11 of them are sitting on the shelf in the next room from me. Such a strange coincidence that I found those meeting minutes!
