Honeywell International Inc. is a Fortune 500 company with 95,000 employees worldwide. Formed in 1999 through a merger, it operates in aerospace, building automation, performance materials and technologies, and safety and productivity solutions.
The Butz Thermo-Electric Regulator Company was founded in 1885 when Albert Butz invented the damper-flapper thermostat for coal furnaces, revolutionizing home heating regulation.
In 1898, W. R. Sweatt purchased the company that had evolved from Butz's inventions, renaming it Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company. This acquisition marked a significant milestone in the company's history.
In 1904, a young engineer named Mark Honeywell formed the Honeywell Heating Specialty Co. Incorporated, focusing on hot water heat generators.
Honeywell, founded in 1906, is a multinational conglomerate that produces a variety of commercial and consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems. The company is known for its innovative technologies.
Mark Honeywell founded the Honeywell Heating Specialty Company in 1906 in Wabash, Indiana, to manufacture and market the mercury seal generator.
In 1913, Electric Heat Regulator Co. changed its name to Honeywell.
By 1916, the Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company, now under W. R. Sweatt's ownership, patented the first electric motor approved by Underwriters Laboratories. This innovation further expanded the company's product line.
A Minneapolis-based multinational corporation was founded over a century ago as a manufacturer of thermostats.
Honeywell acquired Jewell Manufacturing Company in 1922 to enhance automation in heating systems.
In 1927, Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company and Honeywell Heating Specialty Co. merged to form the Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co., which later became the largest producer of high-quality jeweled clocks.
In 1928, Allied Chemical & Dye Corporation was formed through the amalgamation of five leading American chemical manufacturers. The company played a key role in addressing the shortages of chemical commodities experienced during World War I and later expanded its product range to include synthetic ammonia and refrigerants.
In 1934, Honeywell acquired Brown Instrument Co. based in Philadelphia, PA.
In 1941, Minneapolis Honeywell developed the C1 Autopilot, which played a crucial role in the U.S. war effort.
In 1942, as a defense contractor for the U.S. government, Minneapolis-Honeywell created the first production automatic pilot. This innovation marked a significant advancement in aviation technology and contributed to the company's reputation as a leading provider of aerospace guidance and navigation equipment.
In 1946, Minneapolis Honeywell established the Aero Division.
Honeywell introduced the iconic T-86 Round Thermostat in 1950, revolutionizing the industry with its innovative design and functionality.
In 1953, Honeywell collaborated with the USAF Wright-Air Development Center to create the Automatic Master Sequence Selector, a groundbreaking automated control unit that significantly reduced pilot workload by guiding aircraft through various flight stages.
In 1954, Honeywell Research successfully developed a germanium power transistor, leading to the establishment of the Transistor Division.
In April 1955, Minneapolis-Honeywell partnered with Raytheon to establish Datamatic, aiming to enter the computer market and challenge IBM. This collaboration led to the development and sale of their first computer, the DATAmatic 1000, in 1957.
In 1957, Honeywell began working on fire detection and alarm systems, leading to the widespread use of 'Protected by Honeywell' window stickers and placards in many North American cities.
In 1958, Minneapolis-Honeywell's flight controls played a crucial role in launching the first American satellite, Explorer 1. This achievement showcased the company's expertise in aerospace technology and solidified its position in the industry.
In 1960, Minneapolis-Honeywell bought out Raytheon's stake in Datamatic, transforming it into the Electronic Data Processing division, later known as Honeywell Information Systems (HIS). This acquisition marked a significant milestone in Honeywell's expansion in the computer industry.
In 1961, James H. Binger took over as the President of Honeywell. He focused on improving the company's sales approach by prioritizing profits over volume and initiated international expansion.
In 1963, Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company changed its name to Honeywell, Inc. reflecting its growth and diversification into various industries.
In 1964, Honeywell launched the 1800-II, a significant milestone in the evolution of digital computers.
In 1965, Honeywell started developing and producing the Apollo Control System at its Aero Division, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.
The u-COMP DDP-516 General Purpose Digital Computer was launched by Honeywell in 1966, offering versatile computing capabilities.
By 1967, Honeywell achieved a major milestone as its sales surpassed $1 billion, showcasing the company's significant growth and success.
The Series 16 Direct Digital Control System was launched by Honeywell in 1968, revolutionizing control systems technology.
On July 20, 1969, Honeywell played a crucial role in the first moon mission, showcasing its technological innovation and contribution to space exploration.
In 1970, Honeywell acquired General Electric's computer business to establish the Honeywell Information Systems Division (HIS).
In 1973, Honeywell introduced the Level 68 Multics System, focusing on interactive processing needs of that era.
In 1974, Honeywell bought the Process Control Computer business from GE, which later evolved into the current Process Solutions Division of Honeywell based in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Honeywell Multics System was released in 1975, showcasing advancements in computing technology.
In 1976, Honeywell acquired Compagnie Internationale pour l’Informatique, marking its expansion into international markets and strengthening its presence in the computing industry.
In 1980, Honeywell acquired Incoterm Corporation to enhance its competitiveness in the airline reservations system networks and bank teller markets.
In 1985, Honeywell released a special centennial issue that featured a comprehensive history of the company. This publication highlighted significant milestones and achievements of Honeywell over the years.
In 1986, Honeywell merged with AlliedSignal, creating a powerhouse in the aerospace, automotive, and engineering industries.
In 1987, Honeywell Information Systems (HIS) merged with Groupe Bull, a joint venture involving Compagnie des Machines Bull of France and NEC Corporation of Japan, forming Honeywell Bull. This merger marked a significant transformation in Honeywell's global presence.
In 1988, Honeywell Bull was integrated into Groupe Bull, a strategic move to streamline operations and enhance synergies within the conglomerate. This consolidation marked a new chapter in the company's organizational structure.
In 1989, Groupe Bull, which included Honeywell's operations, was rebranded as Bull, a Worldwide Information Systems Company. This renaming signified a shift in the company's branding and market positioning.
In 1990, Honeywell divested its Defense and Marine Systems business into Alliant Techsystems, as part of a strategic restructuring effort. This move aimed to streamline operations and focus on core business areas.
In 1991, Honeywell Information Systems was sold to Bull, marking the end of Honeywell's presence in the information processing computer business.
The book 'The Legend of Honeywell' by Jeffrey L. Rodengen was published in 1995. It provides insights into the history and legacy of Honeywell.
In 1996, Honeywell acquired Duracraft, a significant move to expand its product offerings in the home comfort sector. This acquisition enabled Honeywell to enhance its presence in the consumer market.
In 1998, Honeywell dissolved its partnership with Yamatake Company and merged its Process Control Products Division, Process Management System Division, and Micro Switch Division into the Industrial Control Group. This consolidation aimed to strengthen Honeywell's industrial control portfolio.
On June 7, 1999, Honeywell was acquired by AlliedSignal, who decided to keep the Honeywell name for its brand recognition. The merger of the two companies resulted in a strategic partnership with significant business interests in aerospace, chemical products, automotive parts, and building controls.
In 2000, Honeywell acquired Pittway to expand its presence in the fire-protection and security systems market.
In July 2002, Honeywell became a subsidiary of Kaz, a company that also owns brands like Vicks, Duracraft, Bug-Off, Stinger, and Burg.
In 2003, a federal judge in Newark, New Jersey, ordered Honeywell to perform a $400 million environmental remediation of chromium waste due to the substantial risk of imminent damage to public health and safety and severe damage to the environment.
In 2004, the State of New York announced that Honeywell would need to complete a $448 million cleanup of over 74,000 kg of mercury and other toxic waste dumped into Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, New York.
Honeywell announced the acquisition of Dow's 50-percent stake in UOP on October 3, 2005, and closed the deal on November 30 for $825 million.
In 2006, Honeywell was acknowledged by the EPA for its decision to stop manufacturing mercury switches, resulting in significant reductions of mercury, lead, and chromic acid usage.
In 2008, Honeywell acquired Metrologic Instruments, a company specializing in laser, mobile imaging, and remote scanners.
In December 2011, Public Campaign criticized Honeywell for spending millions on lobbying, not paying taxes, and receiving tax rebates despite layoffs and executive pay increases.
On March 10, 2013, The Wall Street Journal reported that Honeywell was among companies that shielded annual profits from U.S. taxes, sparking criticism.
A history of Honeywell was available on the Honeywell.com website in August 2014. It was later removed from the website and can now be accessed through the Internet Archive.
In 2015, Honeywell relocated its headquarters to Morris Plains, New Jersey, to a new building featuring advanced technology and energy efficiency.
In 2016, Honeywell acquired Intelligrated, a provider of automation solutions for distribution centers and warehouses.
In 2017, Honeywell opened a new software center in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2018, Honeywell separated its homes business into a new company called Resideo, while also spinning off its Transportation Systems business as Garrett Motion.
The history of Honeywell that was previously available on their website was unaccountably removed on 15 May 2019.
As of December 31, 2020, Honeywell reported Total CO2e emissions and aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2035.
In April 2021, Will.i.am and Honeywell collaborated to create Xupermask, a smart mask featuring LED lights, 3-speed fans, and noise-canceling headphones, made of silicon and athletic mesh fabric.
Honeywell Forge was introduced in 2022 as a building automation and energy management solution.
In 2024, Honeywell International Inc. updated their copyright notice, indicating the year of copyright for their intellectual property.