An internationally renowned manufacturer of pneumatic tools, committed to the design and manufacture of power tools, construction equipment, and compressors, and launched impact wrenches earlier in the industry
John W. Duntley came up with the idea of sourcing and selling construction tools that were "not available on the market."
In 1894, he founded the Chicago Pneumatic Tools Company, with offices in Chicago. The Boyer Machine Plant in St. Louis, Missouri, was the first to begin production of products exclusively for CP.
In 1901, Duntley met with steel magnate Charles M. Schwab and persuaded Charles M. Schwab to invest heavily in the company. On December 28, the company was incorporated and the first single-valve starter hammer was patented.
In 1904, Chicago Pneumatic expanded its business. It has offices in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany; And developed a series of new products, such as pneumatic tools and rock drills.
In 1912, Chicago Pneumatic began production of horizontal two-stroke semi-diesel engines to power Chicago Pneumatic compressors. A year later, Chicago Pneumatics finally produced the Ring Valve that eliminates the need for actuation for quick control and increased productivity.
In 1925, Chicago Pneumatic created the Benz diesel engine, which was widely used in all kinds of racing cars in Europe at the time. In the same year, Chicago Pneumatic began production of rotary well drilling equipment.
In 1939, Chicago Pneumatic designed and manufactured the world's first impact wrench (available in both pneumatic and electric versions). To meet wartime demands, Chicago Pneumatic developed the "Hot Pressing Corrugator," a device that heats the rivet to 1000°F and presses the rivet head into its final shape using a pressure of 100,000 psi.
The fifties and sixties of the twentieth century were a period of performance research.
Chicago pneumatic drill bits reach record depths of nearly 20,000 feet and are used in oil exploration operations. The mobile broach chuck for aircraft rivets was introduced in 1957. Chicago pneumatic electric motors played a huge role in the U.S. Apollo moon landing space mission. It powers a pump that inflates the three packs of the capsule after it landed in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969. These bags ensure that the safety hatch is located on top, allowing the astronaut to safely open the safety hatch. In 1969, Chicago Pneumatic introduced the world's first speed ratchet "CP728" at Ford Motor Company.
In 1970, the CP611 impact wrench was used in the steel assembly stage of the World Trade Center (New York City).
Chicago pneumatic torque impact wrenches were introduced to the automotive market in 1970 after being sold in the industrial market for several years.
In 1987, Chicago Pneumatic became a subsidiary of the large Swedish conglomerate Atlas Copco.
More new products were introduced in 1988 than at any time in the late '70s, such as screwdrivers, assembly tools, and new ratchet wrenches. The following year, the current logo was designed and adopted.
In 1990, Chicago Pneumatic won an AMA Silver Award for its "23 Parts" advertising campaign.
The ad shows how more than 250 lightweight assembly tools can be assembled using only 23 interchangeable component parts. In 1994, the company began production of compactors and mobile generators.
In 2007, the company's new technology center was inaugurated in Nantes, France.
In 2010, a new global design was introduced that highlighted the brand's colors – red and black.
