How PROZONE Began... In 1966, physicist Ron Barnes began to develop an
interest in ozone technology. After considerable study of the research which
had already been done, he became convinced that there must be a more
efficient way to utilize the outstanding purification abilities of ozone
than the system that was being widely used in Europe. That system had
several basic implementation problems. First of all, it was a complex system
that was unreliable and difficult to maintain. Secondly, it required high
voltage that was potentially very dangerous. Finally, it was so expensive to
operate that it wasn't really practical. Mr. Barnes' certainty that these
problems could be overcome led him to conduct his own experiments with
alternate methods of ozone generation. His search for the solution to the
implementation problems of ozone purification continued for the next eleven
years. Then, in 1977, he built the prototype of the Prozone water
purification system.
When Mr. Barnes installed his new system on his own home swimming pool,
the results were amazing. Several relatives who usually were unable to
swim in a pool because of acute sensitivity to chlorine found they could
enjoy his pool without any unpleasant reactions whatsoever. Friends
commented on the delightful freshness and purity of the water. His wife
noticed the total absence of offensive chlorine smell and damage to her
family's hair and bathing suits. His children enjoyed long hours in the
pool without the red, burning eyes and dried-out skin they had always
associated with chlorinated swimming pools. Mr. Barnes himself was
gratified to see that his research had, indeed, led to the solutions he
had sought. His system is simple and requires no maintenance at all. It is
a low-voltage system that operates on standard household current (120VAC
or 240VAC) rather than the hazardous high voltage of other systems. And it
is designed for a low initial cost as well as economical operating cost.
Friends and acquaintances began asking Mr. Barnes to install one of his
ozone systems on their pools and spas. As word of the remarkable new
system spread, it became apparent that the market for this product is
tremendous. Mr. Barnes arranged for his company, Barnes Development
Corporation, to manufacture the ozone purification system. A friend
commented that this system was "a real ozone professional;' and from that
remark the name Prozone was born. Mr. Barnes formed Prozone Corporation to
market his new product.
"It is incredible," Mr. Barnes says, "Prozone literally sells itself.
0bviously I'm not the only person who is fed up with the hassle and expense
of pool chemicals. People I talk to are really ready for a change. And they
like the idea of keeping their pools clean with a natural purifier instead
of masses of chemicals." People who purchase Prozone systems are eager to
tell others about their discovery. As Ron Barnes puts it, "The company has
grown like crazy!" Finally, in July of 1984, he resigned his position as
Project Leader of Advanced Development at NCR to devote his full time and
attention to the rapidly growing company. He added several members to his
management team, and together they have begun to implement their plan for
the controlled expansion of Prozone Corporation.
