Reflects on contributions to NASA® first manned lunar landing

Recognition of Service - Apollo 11

BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 18, 2019) — Fifty years ago Winegard Company not only helped most Americans tune in to watch the Apollo 11 mission to the moon from the living room, the company also notably contributed to the capsule that landed on the moon. Today, Winegard celebrates this monumental achievement and are proud to be a part of NASA’s commemoration of the first American lunar landing.

“John invented the multichannel TV antenna in his garage in Burlington, Iowa, because he wanted to watch programming being rebroadcast in Chicago,” said Grant Whipple, president and COO of Winegard.” By 1953 he started his company and this small invention led to other radio and TV devices and systems. Soon NASA was contacting Winegard about designing equipment for this mission.”

Before Winegard’s invented an antenna that could tune into multiple channels, Yagi TV antenna owners could only watch one channel. Now 66 years later, Winegard has 90 U.S. patents and designed more than 1,000 TV, satellite and wireless antennas. The company has grown from designing high-powered television antennas to engineering high-performance wireless and satellite broadband antennas for Internet and IoT applications.

John Winegard, founder and member of the Consumer Electronics Assoc. Hall of Fame, with one of the first multi-channel Yagi antennas he invented
John Winegard, founder and member of the Consumer Electronics Assoc. Hall of Fame, with one of the first multi-channel Yagi antennas he invented.
“So many people are surprised Winegard is in Iowa and that so many of our products are designed and manufactured in the USA,” said Whipple. “Even our customer support center is located in Burlington. Our Midwest roots are something we are very proud of.”

About Winegard
Winegard Company is a trusted connectivity partner for designing and manufacturing the greatest range of world-class connectivity products and services, including WiFi and 4G LTE, satellite, broadband, video, and over-the-air technology for residential, commercial, and mobile applications. Founder, John Winegard, invented the multi-channel Yagi antenna and since its incorporation in 1953, Winegard has designed more than 1,000 antenna models and been granted more than 90 U.S. patents. The company's heritage includes recognition by NASA for contributions to the Apollo 11 mission, and the induction of founder John Winegard into the Consumer Electronics Association Hall of Fame. Winegard's high performance designs for TV, wireless, and cellular technologies are manufactured in the U.S.A. The company is developing technologies to create “smart hubs” that use cloud services to check on, manage, and control devices in RVs, boats, semi-trucks, and more. The Iowa-based facility totals 410,000 sq. ft. and includes a state-of-the-art testing, validation, and measurement center. Headquartered in Burlington, Iowa, Winegard has locations in Illinois and Indiana.