Innovative Design

In the early 1980’s the president of Stanfield ShutterCompany, Gary Stillman, could not have imagined the impact a familyvacation to Nauvoo, IL would have on his life, his company, and the entire shutterindustry.

Nauvoo is full of charming little specialty shops in whichindividuals instruct tourists about life in the 1800’s. Each shop isdedicated to a different task. There’s one for brick-making, another for printing onan old printing press, and still another for metal and ironwork. As Gary watched the many craftsman demonstrate how our ancestors lived and worked hewas impressed with the innovation and dedication they possessed.

In one particular shop a man demonstrated how our ancestorsbuilt wagon wheels. The craftsman showed the visitors how the wooden spokeswere connected to the center hub and secured to the circular perimeter of thewheel to keep the wheel round. As Garywatched he had the idea to incorporate the "spoke" concept into a newshutter design to accommodate the new arch shaped windows that were justbecoming popular.

Upon returning to Utah Gary enlisted StanfieldShutter’s finest engineer and designer, Grant Petersen, to help him develop themoveable louvered sunburst arch. They incorporated the spoke concept by joiningthe louvers to the shutter frame hub. In doing this they engineered the louvers to rotate open and closed.Over time the team made improvements and eventually added a tilt rod to thecircle and ½ circle arches so all the louvers could be adjusted at once. Todayevery sunburst arch design in the world traces its heritage back to the innovation Gary andGrant had more than 20 years ago.