Founder Francis A. Pratt | Founded 1860 | |
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Industry Machine tools, machinery, metrology systems Predecessor Pratt & Whitney Company Key people Francis A. Pratt, Amos Whitney Products Instruments and systems Website www.prattandwhitney.com Headquarters Bloomfield, Connecticut, United States | ||
Pratt & Whitney Measurement Systems is an American multinational corporation that specializes in producing high-precision measuring instruments and systems.
History
The Pratt & Whitney Company was founded in 1860 by Francis A. Pratt and Amos Whitney, with headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut. The company manufactured machine tools, tools for the makers of sewing machines, and gun-making machinery for use by the Union Army during the American Civil War.
In 1925, Frederick Rentschler approached Pratt & Whitney for funding and a location to build his new aircraft engine. Pratt & Whitney loaned him $250,000, the use of the Pratt & Whitney name, and space in their building. This was the beginning of the Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Company, which evolved into today's widely known aircraft engine manufacturer.
In 1929, Rentschler ended his association with Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool and formed United Aircraft and Transport Corporation, the predecessor to United Technologies Corporation. His agreement allowed him to carry the name with him to his new corporation.
For many years, the company maintained a plant on New Park Avenue near the Hartford/West Hartford border, where they manufactured machine tools such as their jig-bore machines and other numerically controlled machines. They also manufactured milling machines and twist drills. What remains of the original Pratt & Whitney is now Pratt & Whitney Measurement Systems, located in Bloomfield, Connecticut.