Question: How did LM76 get its name? ( The # 1 question ) Answer: LM 76 was founded in 1976 by Warren Hamilton  LM = Linear Motion and 76 was the year of incorporation.
Question: Why was LM76 founded? Answer: Most people don't realize that LM76 offered the first - " original " - drop-in replacement for Thomson® Linear Ball Bushings™. The original linear motion bearings were lubricated bronze and wood. When Thomson Industries® introduced the linear ball bushing™, it quickly became the default choice of engineers. It really started a revolution and remains the workhorse selection in linear motion designs. Ball Bushings™ did have some shortcomings with regard to rapid oscillation, high loads, contamination, washdown, shock and vibration. In 1976, a customer approached Mr. Hamilton - GM of J.C. Tarbell Associates with a design issue: the customer was using ball bushings™ in a high oscillation application. The balls were failing and grooving the shaft. Mr. Hamilton, a highly respected plain bearing engineer and associate Wolf Stonehill, introduced the Ceramic Coated Linear Bearing and LM76 was born. THE ORIGINAL DROP-IN REPLACEMENT for linear ball bushings!
Question: Who was J.C. Tarbell? In the 1920's, Chrysler approached all of the major bearing companies and asked them to design a self-lubricating, sleeve bearing. The overall response was that it could not be done. Walter Chrysler would not accept this answer and started his own design effort. The result was the now ubiquitous oil impregnated bronze bushing. In the 1930's, Chrysler decided to make this product available to general industry calling the new division Chrysler Amplex. Chrysler then appointed exclusive regional distributorships around the country. One of the new distributorships wasawarded to John C. Tarbell of Springfield, Massachusetts and his company, J.C. Tarbell Associates introduced this new engineering marvel to OEM engineers and distributors throughout New England. Over the years, J.C. Tarbell Associates added each new sleeve bearing breakthrough: specialty powdered metals, plastics, polyimides ect. to its every growing arsenal of plain bearing solutions. Thus becoming one of the most respected names in sleeve bearing design and manufacture in the United States. www.LM-Tarbell.com 
Question: Who is LM-Tarbell Answer: The grandson of John C. Tarbell, John W. Tarbell  purchased both J.C. Tarbell Associates and LM76 and combined them into LM-Tarbell, Inc.
Question: Why should I consider LM76 as my linear bearing supplier? LM76 is a proud and accomplished company. Our Ceramic Coated, Self Lube, FDA Complaint and special-design linear sleeve bearings are not the result of "let's pick a product to sell", it is the result of 69 plus years of plain bearing design experience - we know what we are doing. We are tested and proven in this field and we offer what we feel are the best designs available in the marketplace.

Another reason you might consider LM76 is our passion for customer service and the high standards we set for customer satisfaction. We have a staff that has, in some cases, 25 plus years with our company. We value our employees, their experience and our field sales personnel - there is no revolving door here. The person you spoke with last week, will be the person you speak with next week.
Question: Does LM76 have a minimum cost or volume threshold for specials? Answer: No. We love specials. Whether it's a special ID, OD, Length, flange, double flange, perfect split - you name it, we are game. We want your business! We will not slap you with high minimums or outrageous prices and deliveries. We manufacture specials/assemblies so extreme that you would not recognize them as bearings! Send us your prints and ideas and let's get the job done!

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Thomson Industries ® is a registered trademark of Danaher Corporation
Ball Bushing™ is a trademark of Thomson Industries
Chrysler information from:

Chrysler, Ford, Durant and Sloan - Founding Giants of the Automotive Industry
by H. Eugene Weiss