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Comfort Catches On
The building boom of the early 1900s meant big business for Johnson Service Company. Skyscrapers required temperature controls, as did the theaters, restaurants and stores introducing air-cooled interiors.
After Warren Johnson’s death in 1911, Harry W. Ellis became President in 1912. Ellis sold the company’s automotive and pneumatic clock businesses to focus on building controls, emphasizing efficient manufacturing and dedicated customer service.
Meanwhile, two future Johnson Controls businesses were formed. In 1911, the Globe Electric Company in Milwaukee began making electrical equipment for streetcars and street lights, soon adding automotive battery production. In 1913, the Hoover Steel Ball Company began operations in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving the precision bearing and automotive industries—which years later would lead them to automotive seating.
As the 20th century progressed, revolution shook China, Mexico, Russia and Ireland. Starting in 1914, war shook the world. The U.S. government’s War Industry Board classified the temperature control industry as nonessential to the war effort, indicating these systems’ main purpose to be comfort. To keep the factory and its employees going, the sales force turned to government buildings for business, and, for the first time, began to retrofit old buildings with new controls.
Prosperity returned soon after the war’s end. By 1919, the volume of new contracts exceeded $1 million. In 1924, Johnson introduced the Dual Thermostat to lower temperatures during building off-hours. Ten years later, the Johnson Duo-Stat adjusted indoor temperature based on outdoor conditions.
These innovations were exactly what building owners demanded as the Great Depression brought a new need for fuel savings. Johnson’s comfort products were now a necessity.
After Warren Johnson’s death in 1911, Harry W. Ellis became President in 1912. Ellis sold the company’s automotive and pneumatic clock businesses to focus on building controls, emphasizing efficient manufacturing and dedicated customer service.
Meanwhile, two future Johnson Controls businesses were formed. In 1911, the Globe Electric Company in Milwaukee began making electrical equipment for streetcars and street lights, soon adding automotive battery production. In 1913, the Hoover Steel Ball Company began operations in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving the precision bearing and automotive industries—which years later would lead them to automotive seating.
As the 20th century progressed, revolution shook China, Mexico, Russia and Ireland. Starting in 1914, war shook the world. The U.S. government’s War Industry Board classified the temperature control industry as nonessential to the war effort, indicating these systems’ main purpose to be comfort. To keep the factory and its employees going, the sales force turned to government buildings for business, and, for the first time, began to retrofit old buildings with new controls.
Prosperity returned soon after the war’s end. By 1919, the volume of new contracts exceeded $1 million. In 1924, Johnson introduced the Dual Thermostat to lower temperatures during building off-hours. Ten years later, the Johnson Duo-Stat adjusted indoor temperature based on outdoor conditions.
These innovations were exactly what building owners demanded as the Great Depression brought a new need for fuel savings. Johnson’s comfort products were now a necessity.
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
COMPANY HEADQUARTERS
A view of company headquarters in downtown Milwaukee shortly after the first addition was completed in 1924.
Starting with integrity, our values shape our culture and success. 