At an event celebrating more than a century of ingenuity and innovation, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) announced its designation of the Johnson Controls, Inc. automatic temperature control system as a historic mechanical engineering landmark. The invention of the first reliable and economical multi-zone temperature control system in 1895 by Johnson Controls founder Warren S. Johnson led to massive growth at the company and helped launch the modern building controls industry. S. Allan Johnson, great- grandson of the inventor, attended the event, along with more than 200 Johnson Controls employees, retirees and customers.
“ASME is pleased to honor an invention that changed the world in the late 1800s and which still helps companies and organizations keep their buildings comfortable and energy-efficient more than 100 years later,” said J. Lawrence Lee, Ph.D., P.E., chair of the ASME History & Heritage Committee.
Johnson Controls has grown to become the largest public corporation headquartered in Wisconsin. The company continues to globally lead the building controls and HVAC equipment industry, though it long ago diversified into the automotive industry through its automotive experience (seats and interior systems) and power solutions (automotive batteries) divisions.
“Milwaukee is proud to be the home of Johnson Controls, a global leader in the field of environmental technology for over 100 years,” said Richard “Rocky” Marcoux, commissioner of the City of Milwaukee Department of City Development, speaking for Mayor Tom Barrett. “Johnson Controls provided some of the first ‘green collar’ jobs by helping businesses and homes save energy, which contributes to a cleaner environment. I fully expect Johnson Controls will continue to bring its ingenuity and innovation to environments around the world for future generations,” he noted.
“The technology of the 1890s has come a long way since they had to bang on the pipes to alert custodial staff that it was too hot or too cold. Professor Johnson’s invention has evolved into the modern controls industry, including refrigeration, fire and security systems for commercial, industrial, and residential buildings,” said C. David Myers, president, building efficiency, Johnson Controls. “Our employees worldwide share my pride in accepting this honor.”
The event featured the unveiling of a bronze landmark plaque that is being mounted on the Johnson Controls building efficiency headquarters, the Brengel Technology Center at 507 E. Michigan St., Milwaukee. The facility, one of the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®)-certified in the world, now also includes a showcase of actual components from an 1895-era Johnson Controls system.
The ASME historic landmark designation is the eighth in Wisconsin and one of about 250 landmarks recognized worldwide. Other ASME Wisconsin landmarks include Milwaukee’s East Wells Street Power Plant (1918) next to the Milwaukee Repertory Theater; the Port Washington Power Plant (1935), the world’s most thermally efficient steam plant for many years; the Appleton Vulcan Street Power Plant (1882), the first Edison hydroelectric central station; and the Evinrude Outboard Motor (1909), also developed in Milwaukee.
