It is strange to look back at the world as it was when the concept for the Electronic Drives and Controls (EDC) wall calendar was first born. It was late 1980 when VP Bud Dillard was contemplating the design of the inaugural edition and finalizing the first calendar mailing list of just 150 recipients for the 1981 year.
Wham! wouldn’t release “Last Christmas” for another few years. Instead, as Bud reviewed that first list, the radio was likely playing the songs of John Lennon, whose voice dominated the airwaves following the tragic news of that December. Also, Pac-Man machines were just starting to light up arcades in the States for the very first time, and a young Steve Jobs was preparing for the Apple IPO.
The world was sitting on the precipice of the digital age, and EDC was there, ready to print.
Fast forward to late 2025. Technology has evolved from 8-bit arcade cabinets to complex industrial automation, and the “family business” aspect of the calendar has evolved right along with it.
While Bud was managing a list of 150 names in 1980, today it is his son, Henry Dillard, who is wrangling a list that’s exploded in size to around 20,000, ensuring this batch reaches every clients’ walls.
“We have kept the calendar printing cost proportional to our revenue, so the program has grown along with the company,” says Bud Dillard. What started as a modest piece of marketing collateral—intended to be handed out like pens or hats—has turned into a massive yearly production.
Why It’s Still on the Wall
In an era of smartphone notifications and digital alerts, why is a paper calendar from the Pac-Man era still so coveted? The answer is utility.
The EDC calendar layout is simple but effective: you see all 12 months of the year spread out before you. There is no scrolling, no clicking, and no batteries required. With just a glance at the wall, you can see your entire year planned out. It is the ultimate tool for avoiding missed dates and deadlines in a busy industrial environment.
A Visual History of Service
The design continues to feature EDC’s impressive fleet of service vehicles—the trucks and vans that stand ready to help clients with our nationally recognized service team. Whether it’s emergency repairs on a down drive or preventative maintenance, the imagery reminds our clients that we are always ready to roll.
Get Your Piece of History
If you want to join the tradition that has outlasted the arcade era, make sure you are on our list. If you would like to be added, please fill out the request form here.
Don’t delay—much like a game of Pac-Man, the list fills up fast and it’s Game Over until next year!