The History of Honeywell

Considered the official beginning of the company that became Honeywell, in 1885, inventor Albert Butz patented the furnace regulator and alarm. He then formed the Butz Thermo-Electric Regulator Co. in Minneapolis and soon created a device he called the "damper flapper.” That invention was  a predecessor to the modern thermostat. The Consolidated Temperature Controlling Co. acquired Butz's patents and business, and by 1893, had renamed itself Electric Heat Regulator Co. In 1898, the company was purchased by W. R. Sweatt, who, by 1916, named the company Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company, expanded its product line and patented the first electric motor approved by Underwriters Laboratories.

During World War I, Germany controlled much of the world's chemical industry, causing shortages among the U.S. and its allies of critical drugs and dyes. In 1920, publisher Eugene Meyer and scientist William Nichols formed the Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation as a partnership of five American chemical companies.   

(Image Courtesy of the New York Stock Exchange: This content is the property of NYSE Group, Inc. or its affiliates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. © 2020 NYSE Group, Inc.  All rights reserved.)

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Honeywell was critical to that mission. For example, 16,000 Honeywell parts went into the 14 separate electronic devices that made up the Stabilization and Control Systems (SCS). Meanwhile, Honeywell pilots helped with flight testing.

At the start of the 21^st century, Honeywell continued to grow by acquiring businesses across industries. In 2005, we acquired Universal Oil Products, a leading international supplier and licensor for the petroleum refining, gas processing, petrochemical production and major manufacturing industries. Three years later, we added Metrologic Instruments, which made laser, mobile imaging and remote scanners. In 2016, Intelligrated came on board. They provide automation solutions for distribution centers and warehouses.

Image Courtesy of the New York Stock Exchange: This content is the property of NYSE Group, Inc. or its affiliates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. © 2020 NYSE Group, Inc.  All rights reserved.

In June 2019, Honeywell launched its Enterprise Performance Management  software solution called Honeywell Forge. The software leverages Honeywell’s expertise in asset and process control technology across industries, including buildings, airlines, industrials and critical infrastructure