Shaping the Future
The 1960s marked a pivotal period of expansion and evolution for Hylant-MacLean, Inc. By the end of the decade, the company had written more than $1.8 million in premiums and was becoming a household name in Northwest Ohio. New service lines were introduced to better meet clients' growing and changing needs, setting the stage for decades of continued growth.
Robert E. Hylant took great pride in the company’s direction as its reputation and reach continued to grow.
Upper left: Jeanne Hylant's famous "Stitch & Bitch" club. Bottom left: Mike, Richard and Jeannie Hylant, wearing their "Sunday Best."
Spotlight:
Moments That Mattered
Key Milestones at Hylant:
- Hylant-MacLean surpassed $1.8 million in written premiums.
- Service lines were expanded to meet growing client needs.
- The company experienced growing brand awareness across Northwest Ohio.
Toledo in the 1960s:
- Labor movements and civil rights activism shaped the city’s economic and social climate.
- In 1960, John F. Kennedy visited Toledo during his presidential campaign, energizing local and national conversation.
- The "space race" took off in the 1960s, with Toledo contributing to aerospace innovation and technological advancements.
Photos and Mementos from the '60s
Robert E. and Jeanne Hylant flew the family to Disneyland for a vacation in 1960. The Toledo Academy of Beauty Culture on Central Avenue.
The third generation of Hylant siblings circa 1961. Woolworth Co. on Adams Street. Sales of Insurance - Memo, 1960-1961.
What Was Happening
In Insurance
- Mainframe Computers: Insurance companies were among the early adopters of mainframe computers. For example, Travelers Insurance Company installed an IBM mainframe in the 1960s. These computers were used for data processing, policy management, and claims processing, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy.
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Established in 1968, the NFIP was a significant development in response to frequent flooding and the lack of private flood insurance. This program aimed to provide flood insurance to property owners in participating communities, helping to mitigate the financial impact of flood disasters.
- Insurance Holding Companies: The New York State Insurance Department appointed the Special Committee on Insurance Holding Companies in 1967 to address the growing interest in holding company arrangements. This led to the formation of the NAIC Subcommittee to Draft Model Legislation Relating to Insurance Holding Companies in 1968, which aimed to regulate these arrangements and ensure proper oversight.
- Rise of Life Insurance: Life insurance policies became more popular as a means of financial security for families.
- Medicare and Medicaid: Established in 1965, these programs provided health insurance to the elderly and low-income individuals, respectively.
Around the World
- Civil Rights Movement: Key events included the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in 1963.
- Moon Landing: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon in 1969.
- Vietnam War: Escalated throughout the decade, leading to widespread protests.
- Woodstock: The iconic music festival took place in 1969.
- Assassinations: President John F. Kennedy (1963), Martin Luther King Jr. (1968), and Robert F. Kennedy (1968) were all assassinated.
- The Beatles: Became a global phenomenon, leading the British Invasion in music.
- Counterculture Movement: The rise of the hippie movement and anti-establishment sentiments.
- Stonewall Riots: In 1969, these riots marked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
- First Super Bowl: Held in 1967, marking the beginning of a major American sports tradition.
Continue the Journey
Continue the journey and explore Hylant's evolution into the 1970s and beyond.