In 1955, Marvin Gearhart and Harold D. Owen started a logging company.  In time, Gearhart-Owen Industries (GOI) became the world's largest supplier of shaped charges and well logging equipment.  In 1964, Gearhart-Owen bought Widco Mandrel Industries, and Well Reconnaissance in 1979.  In 1978, Harold Owen parted company and founded Pengo Industries, and later (1983) Owen Oil Tools; Marvin Gearhart would rename his company "Gearhart Industries - The GO Company".  The Mineral Logging Division was incorporated as a separate entity in 1981, Mineral Logging Systems, Inc. (MLS).  In 1985, Gearhart acquired Geosource, and as a result briefly owned SIE.  The Geosource acquisition coupled with the collapse in oil prices resulted in a 230 million dollar loss in 1986.  In 1989, Halliburton acquired Gearhart and would eventually close the doors at MLS, a horrible "stab in the back" to the independent well logging industry.  In 1999, Halliburton Logging Services (HLS) moved out of the old Fort Worth Gearhart complex, consolidating wireline research and manufacturing in Houston; it is now impossible to purchase any parts or supplies from the jerks.

In 1958, Marion Hawthorne left his position as chief engineer at Gearhart-Owen to found Radiation Engineering and Manufacturing Company (REMCo).  Within the first year of business, REMCo was building complete logging trucks, some for Gearhart-Owen.  Interestingly, REMCo produced a variety of products not related to well logging, including the first coin operated car wash.  In 1974, REMCo acquired Southern Industrial Equipment (SIE) and would begin to use the familiar SIE logo.  Geosource acquired SIE in 1980, then Gearhart bought Geosource in 1985.  Anti-trust laws forced Gearhart to sell the SIE division to Wood Group, a conglomerate based in the UK.  In 1988, Computalog, a Canadian company, acquired the Wood Group's interest in the US wireline industry...SIE, Pengo, and PMC.  Any history of SIE would be incomplete without the mention of Al Biggs, Vice President of the company.  Al was with REMCo / SIE from 1963 until his retirement in 1992, and was a true innovator.  Computalog is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Precision Drilling Corporation.

Bell Petroleum Systems was originally established to provide internal company support for specialty wireline tools.  Bell grew to become a supplier to the independent logging industry.  It apparently acquired Worthwell, but no historical information is currently available.  Bell was eventually acquired by an oilfield elastomer company wanting only the Bell rubber products subsidiary.  The Bell wireline business was sold to Warrior Wireline of Alabama (no relation to the computer folks).  Warrior kept the logging station in West Texas, but soon dumped the Fort Worth manufacturing  operation at a scrap price.

In 1969, William "Bill" Hawkins left his engineering position at Gearhart-Owen and founded Comprobe.  Comprobe, Inc. has become a major supplier of well logging equipment worldwide, and continues its long tradition of supplying the needs of the independent well logging community.

Just kidding.