Westinghouse Electric Corporation

George Westinghouse Jr., the founder of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, was born on October 6th, 1846 in Central Bridge, NY. His parents owned a machine shop.

In 1865, George Westinghouse Jr. received his first patent for his work on a small rotary engine. This marked the beginning of his prolific career as an inventor and entrepreneur.

In 1869, Westinghouse invented the air brake system to address the issues of manually-operated brakes on trains. This invention led to the establishment of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company.

In 1870, Westinghouse invented a reduction valve that allowed high-pressure gas to be delivered at low pressure, leading to the development of a company for gas distribution in Pittsburgh.

In 1881, Westinghouse established the Union Switch and Signal Company in Pittsburgh, focusing on the development of signaling devices and interlocking switches for railroads.

Westinghouse Electric Corporation was founded by George Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1886. The company played a significant role in developing AC electric infrastructure in the United States.

In 1888, Westinghouse purchased the rights to Nikola Tesla's AC motor and transformer designs. This acquisition allowed the company to develop a practical and efficient system for transmitting electrical power over long distances.

Westinghouse constructed the world's initial industrial alternating current (AC) generator at the Ames Hydro-electric Generating Plant in Colorado, USA in 1891. This marked a significant milestone in the development of electrical power generation.

In 1892, Thomas Edison's electric company was merged with Westinghouse's chief AC rival, the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, creating a larger competitor known as General Electric.

In 1893 at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Westinghouse's alternating current generators powered 250,000 light bulbs, showcasing the efficiency of AC over longer distances compared to Edison's direct current.

In 1895, Westinghouse installed hydropower AC generators at Adams Power Plant in Niagara Falls, providing power to Buffalo, New York. This technological achievement showcased the company's expertise in power generation.

In 1898, Westinghouse purchased Walker Mfg. Co of Cleveland, establishing a main facility in Cleveland that produced power-transmitting machinery, cable railway networks, castings, and lighting. This acquisition expanded Westinghouse's manufacturing capabilities.

By 1900, Westinghouse had expanded significantly, reaching a milestone of 50,000 employees.

In 1901, the first commercial Westinghouse steam turbine-driven generator, a 1,500 kW unit nicknamed Mary-Ann, started operating at Hartford Electric Light Co. This marked the installation of the first steam turbine generator by an electric utility in the US, based on designs licensed from Charles Parsons.

By 1904, the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company had expanded with 9,000 workers at the main plant and 3,000 in branch factories, becoming the largest of the Westinghouse companies.

The Westinghouse Company expanded its operations with branch works in Newark, NJ and Cleveland, Ohio, in addition to the plant at East Pittsburgh. It also maintained control over several other electric product companies.

During the Panic of 1907, George Westinghouse, the founder, was compelled by the Board of Directors to take a six-month leave due to internal financial difficulties faced by the company.

In 1909, Westinghouse introduced the continuous-filament tungsten light bulb, a significant innovation in lighting technology. This development showcased the company's commitment to advancing illumination solutions.

George Westinghouse Jr. passed away on March 12, 1914, followed by his wife Marguerite Westinghouse on June 23 of the same year. They are both buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

In 1915, the New England Westinghouse Company began its operations, producing Mosin-Nagant rifles for the Russian Czar's army. However, the Bolsheviks later canceled a large order of rifles after overthrowing the Russian Provisional Government, leading Westinghouse to face bankruptcy until the American Government stepped in to purchase the rifles for military use.

In 1920, Westinghouse played a key role in the creation of RCA (Radio Corporation of America) in partnership with GE, AT&T, and United Fruit. This collaboration marked a major advancement in the radio and communication industry.

In 1921, Westinghouse established Pittsburgh's KDKA, the first commercial radio station, marking its entry into the radio broadcasting industry.

In 1923, Westinghouse scientist Vladimir K. Zworykin filed two patents critical in the development of television.

In 1941, Westinghouse ventured into the military electronics business, becoming a prominent radar contractor. The company's radar technology played a crucial role during World War II, including providing a warning signal during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

In 1943, Westinghouse achieved a milestone by producing the first operational American turbojet for the US Navy program, showcasing its technological advancements in the aviation sector.

In 1945, the company assumed its present name, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, marking a significant milestone in its history.

In 1948, Westinghouse installed its first industrial gas turbine, a 2,000-horsepower model W21, at the Mississippi River Fuel Corp gas compression station in Wilmar, Arkansas. This marked the company's entry into the industrial and utility gas turbine business.

Westinghouse technology has been the basis for approximately half of the nuclear power reactors in operation worldwide, with a net installed capacity of 370,543 MWe. This contribution has made Westinghouse a key player in the global nuclear power industry.

Just after settling the lawsuit in 1979, the Three Mile Island accident occurred, leading to a significant decrease in orders for nuclear power plants.

In 1981, Westinghouse acquired cable television operator TelePrompter, Muzak, and 50% of Showtime for $576 million.

In 1985, the Wall Street Journal ranked Westinghouse as the nation's 13th-largest defense contractor due to major contracts on various weapons systems.

In 1986, Westinghouse entered into a joint venture with Airship Industries, Ltd. to develop advanced lighter-than-air radar platforms and early warning surveillance airship for U.S. Navy.

In the second quarter of 1991, Westinghouse Credit Corp. posted a $1.6 billion loss due to a large number of customers defaulting on high-interest real estate and commercial loans, leading to the company accumulating over $5 billion in debt.

In the mid-1990s, Westinghouse faced public relations challenges including fighting a suit filed by the Philippine government over bribery allegations and lawsuits related to faulty equipment sold to utilities companies in the late 1960s.

In 1995, Westinghouse Electric Corporation acquired CBS Inc. for $5.4 billion, leading to a significant transformation and eventual name change to the original 'CBS Corporation' in 1997.

In the following year after acquiring CBS Inc., Westinghouse purchased Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, merging the nation’s two largest radio broadcasters.

In 1997, Westinghouse sold off its remaining industrial businesses and rebranded itself as the CBS Corporation, focusing entirely on television and radio broadcasting and programming.

In 1999, Westinghouse acquired Outdoor Systems for $8.7 billion and King World Productions for $2.5 billion, expanding its presence in the outdoor advertising and media production industries.

In 2006, British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL) sold Westinghouse to Toshiba, a Japanese conglomerate, for $5.4 billion. This acquisition was a key part of Toshiba's strategy to expand its presence in the global nuclear power industry.

In 2011, Westinghouse introduced its own line of consumer portable generators, expanding its product range to cater to individual power needs. This move showcased the company's commitment to innovation and meeting consumer demands.

In 2017, Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy, marking the end of an era for one of America's most iconic companies. The bankruptcy was the result of various factors, including difficulties in the nuclear power industry and failure to adapt to the changing technological landscape.