The 4” Hand Pump fusion machine in the trunk is the machine that launched McElroy’s successful foray into the fusion industry 50 years ago. It was the brainchild of McElroy founder Art McElroy (right) who delivered the first fusion machine to Phillips Driscopipe in Perryton, Texas, in 1970. Accepting is the first fusion operator expert, Jean Louthan, a Phillips research engineer. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship between the company that made the pipe and the company that made the machines.