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The Spirit of Invention
Oh, the technology of the late 1800s! German engineer Otto Lilienthal patented a hang glider that inspired the United States’ Wright brothers to explore manned flight. The Lumière brothers introduced France to projected motion pictures. Great Britain’s David Misell, working in the U.S., patented the battery-powered flashlight. Warren S. Johnson introduced the pneumatic temperature control system.
Johnson’s system, using principles still relevant today, made it practical to regulate temperatures room by room in homes and commercial buildings. The Johnson Electric Service Company launched in 1885, with Johnson as vice president and treasurer. An industry was born.
The quickly growing business, renamed the Johnson Service Company in 1902, brought evenly regulated temperatures to buildings around the world: the Palace of the Imperial Prince in Tokyo, Japan; the king’s palace in Madrid, Spain; the city hall in Toronto, Canada; a factory in Warsaw, Poland.
The company settled into the Milwaukee, Wisconsin location that today still serves as headquarters for the Building Efficiency business. Warren Johnson continued innovating, receiving patents for a steam generator to be used in “auto-carriages” and a pneumatic clock system that ran his grand tower clocks.
In 1901, with Johnson now President, the company began making steam-powered cars and trucks, and six years later introduced a line of gasoline cars featuring luxurious leather and wood interiors.
Johnson’s system, using principles still relevant today, made it practical to regulate temperatures room by room in homes and commercial buildings. The Johnson Electric Service Company launched in 1885, with Johnson as vice president and treasurer. An industry was born.
The quickly growing business, renamed the Johnson Service Company in 1902, brought evenly regulated temperatures to buildings around the world: the Palace of the Imperial Prince in Tokyo, Japan; the king’s palace in Madrid, Spain; the city hall in Toronto, Canada; a factory in Warsaw, Poland.
The company settled into the Milwaukee, Wisconsin location that today still serves as headquarters for the Building Efficiency business. Warren Johnson continued innovating, receiving patents for a steam generator to be used in “auto-carriages” and a pneumatic clock system that ran his grand tower clocks.
In 1901, with Johnson now President, the company began making steam-powered cars and trucks, and six years later introduced a line of gasoline cars featuring luxurious leather and wood interiors.
INTERACT WITH HISTORY
In 2010, Johnson Controls is celebrating 125 years of making buildings more energy-efficient for its customers. Learn more by viewing our interactive online exhibit. more
EARLY AUTO MANUFACTURER
From 1901 to 1912, the Johnson Electric Service Company manufactured an estimated 1,000 automotive vehicles, including cars, fire trucks, limousines and ambulances.
