Chicago Pneumatic celebrate 120 years of passion for performance!

John W. Duntley had in mind the idea of sourcing and selling construction tools "that weren’t yet available."

In 1901, Duntley met steel magnate Charles M. Schwab , who invested heavily in the company.

On December 28 1901 the company was incorporated.

In 1901 the first single-valve pneumatic hammer was patented.

1904 was the year of expansion for Chicago Pneumatic.

Offices were opened in England, Canada, and Germany; and new lines of products had been developed such as air tools and rock drills.

In 1912, Chicago Pneumatic began to produce horizontal 2-cycle semi-diesel oil engine to power CP compressors.

One year later, Chicago Pneumatic finalized the Simplate valve; it deleted valve gear, offered controllability with high speeds and brought more capacity.

In 1939, Chicago Pneumatic designed and manufactured the world’s first impact wrench (pneumatic and electric versions).

Chicago Pneumatic developed the “hot dimpling machine” in response to war effort demands, a device heating rivets to 1000°F and using 100,000 pounds/inch² of pressure to squeeze the rivet head into its final shape.

In 1943

the Saturday Evening Post published a cover picture by Norman Rockwell portraying a female aircraft worker, Rosie the Riveter, eating her lunch with a Chicago Pneumatic riveting hammer in her lap. In the following years, the iconic Rosie figure was used for the “We can do it” campaign during WWII.

The 1950s and '60s were an era of performance research.

Chicago Pneumatic drill bits broke depth records approaching 20,000 feet and were used in oil prospecting. The portable broach puller for aircraft rivets was introduced in 1957. A Chicago Pneumatic electric motor played a role in America’s Apollo space mission to the moon. It powered a pump that inflated three bags on the capsule upon its splashdown in the Pacific on July 24, 1969. The bags ensured the escape hatch was on top and the astronauts could open it safely. Chicago Pneumatic introduced in 1969 the world’s first speed ratchet “CP728” at Ford MotorCompany.

In 1970, the CP611 impact wrench was used in the steel erection phase of the World Trade Centers (New York City).

Sold for several years into industrial markets, Chicago Pneumatic torque impact wrenches were introduced in the 1970s into the automotive market.

In 1987, Chicago Pneumatic became part of the Swedish conglomerate AtlasCopco.

During 1988, more new products were launched than at any time since 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 a silver award from the AMA.

with its "23 parts" advertising campaign. The ad portrayed how over 250 light assembly tools could be made from only 23 interchangeable component parts. In 1994, the production of compactors and portable power generators began. CP789H reversible drill, CP828H ratchet, CP854 angle grinders launched as “The Classics”