Rooted in History. Focused on the Future.

Gardner Denver and its family of renowned brands look back on a proud history - from the beginnings in the mid-1800s as the manufacturer of the Flyball Governor, the first effective speed controls for steam engines, to the presence as a global corporation with a diversified product portfolio and operations in over 30 countries. At the same time, we are focused on the future, driven to further raise the bar.

Use the interactive timeline below to scroll through Gardner Denver's historic milestones or click on the "Read more" icons to explore our history in more depth.

1859

Invention of the Flyball Governor, the first effective speed controls for steam engines. Foundation of Gardner Governor Co.

Robert Gardner invents the first effective speed controls for steam engines, known as the Flyball Governor. Foundation of the Gardner Governor Company in Quincy, Illinois, USA, on the banks of the Mississippi.

1859 preview robertgardner

1900s

More than 150,000 Governors are sold across the USA and Canada.

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1900s preview governor

1903

German-based Elmo is granted the Imperial Patent for the world's first liqid ring vacuum pump.

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1903 machine preview

1906

Launch of the first vacuum cleaner using an Elmo pump.

1906 vacuum cleaner preview

1908

Karl Wittig develops patent for sliding vane compressor; five years later licensed as "System Wittig"

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1903 patent preview (1)

1927

Gardner Governor Co. merges with Denver Rock Drill Co. to form Gardner Denver.

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1927 preview

1950

German Werner Rietschle founds Werie, soon knowns for its oil-lubricated and oil-free rotary vane vacuum  technology. 

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1950 werie preview

1950s/60s

Continued expansion in North America through several periods of acquisitions.

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preview 1050s 60s

1960s

UK-based Drum introduces world's first mass-produced, oil-free 2.5 bar compressor fot the transport industry.

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1960 drum preview

1963

First Elmo side channel blower introduced.

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1963 sidechannel preview

1968

UK-based CompAir is founded.

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1968 compair preview

1994

Public listing as Gardner Denver, Inc. on the NYSE.

 

nyse

1990s - Present

Further global expansion through wave of acquisitions, including renowned brands CompAir, Elmo, Rietschle, Tamrotor, and Robuschi.

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1990 present preview

Early 2000s

Gardner Denver has firmly established itself as a global provider of compressed air and vacuum technology.

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2000s preview globe

1859

1900s