1. More than 100 years ago, Edwin Ruud, a Norwegian mechanical engineer, came to America and developed the first successful automatic water heater. That early success marked the beginning of a tradition of innovation and value that led to the introduction of RUUD heating and air conditioning equipment in the 1950s. Since then, the RUUD has grown into one of North America’s largest manufacturers of quality heating, cooling and water heating products for residential and light commercial use. Today, RUUD operates manufacturing facilities employing highly trained workers and state-of-the-art equipment. Over the years, the product lines have expanded, changed, and improved significantly as new design techniques and better manufacturing technologies have become available. Source: Ruud History
2. History of Robertshaw Controls Company: In 1899, Frederick W. Robertshaw invented a thermostatic control device to control the flow of gas to the water heater in his home. In 1907, he formed the The House Services Utility Manufacturing Company. In 1914, the business had expanded to such a degree that it outgrew its plant in Pittsburgh. He purchased a building in Youngwood, Pennsylvania and changed the name of the company to Robertshaw Manufacturing Company. In 1922, the name was changed to the Robertshaw Thermostat Company. He no longer manufactured plumbing supplies and other devices other than thermostats. In 1928, the U.S. Foil Company acquired Robertshaw Thermostat. At the same time, R. J. Reynolds, president of U.S. Foil changed the company to Reynolds Metals Company. It primary product was aluminum foil. Also, in 1928, Reynolds Metals purchased Fulton Sylphon Company of Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1936, Robertshaw Thermostat purchased Grayson Heat Control, Ltd. Also, Robertshaw Thermostat purchased American Thermostat Company of St. Louis. And, they purchased Bridgeport Brass Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The company was renamed the Bridgeport Thermostat Company. On September 24, 1947, Reynold Metals Company merged all these companies into one company to form the Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company. Source: Grayson Controls
3. For Almost a Century BASO & Quality Have Remained Synonymous. Since its inception in 1914, BASO has been recognized as an innovative leader in developing and manufacturing a wide range of quality gas control products and accessories. Orignally called Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company, the company produced gas range accessories and later added products for water heaters and furnaces.When the company was granted an exclusive license to manufacture and market the Baltimore Automatic Shut-Off (BASO) switch in 1934, Milwaukee Gas Specialty Company and BASO quickly became synonymous. The company’s name was officially changed to BASO, Inc. in 1957. Also that same year, the first of several phases of contruction on our current manufacturing site at 1007 S 12th Street in Watertown WI were initiated. In 1961, BASO merged with Penn Controls, and the combined entity was later purchased by Johnson Controls, Inc. in 1968. In August 2004, the BASO Pilot Burner and Gas Valve manufacturing business were purchased from Johnson Controls Inc. in a private acquisition. Today, BASO is owned by George Sopko and continues to manufacture product at this same location. While many things have changed in the last 100 plus years, our commitment to producing superior products, providing exceptional customer service and operating with integrity remain unchanged. BASO Gas Products LLC…firing you up since 1914. Source: BASO History
4. The Rheem Story: Rheem Manufacturing Company was established in the mid-1920s when brothers Richard and Donald Rheem acquired a galvanizing plant in San Francisco, California. In the 1930’s, Rheem began manufacturing water heaters, and by 1936 had coast to coast distribution. During the 1940s and 1950s, the company increased its product line to include space heating units for homes, oil furnaces and air conditioners. In 1959, Rheem acquired Ruud Manufacturing Company, a pioneer in the water heating industry with a well-regarded product line and a distribution network throughout North America. In subsequent years, Rheem entered the heating and air conditioning market and expanded in the late 1960’s and 1970’s with the rapid growth of the central air conditioning industry. In 1985, the company acquired Raypak, a leading producer of copper tube boilers used for swimming pool heating and commercial hot water supply and hydronic heating. Source: About Rheem
5. In 1849 the Bourdon tube pressure gauge was patented in France by Eugene Bourdon. It is still one of the most widely used instruments for measuring the pressure of liquids and gases of all kinds, including steam, water, and air up to pressures of 100,000 pounds per square inch. Eugene Bourdon founded the Bourdon Sedeme Company to manufacture his invention. The American patent rights to Eugene Bourdon’s gauge were bought by Edward Ashcroft in 1852. Ashcroft played an important role in the widespread adoption of steam power in this country. He renamed Bourdon’s gauge, the Ashcroft gauge. Source: Mary Bellis About.com Inventors
