Jump to content

Westinghouse Electric Corporation

From Alfawiki
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Company typeCorporation
IndustryIndustrial manufacturing, electrical equipment, consumer electronics, household appliances, nuclear power technology
PredecessorWestinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company
FoundedJanuary 8, 1886; 140 years ago (1886-01-08)
FounderGeorge Westinghouse
FateRebranded as CBS Corporation in 1997; nuclear power segment sold to BNFL in 1999
SuccessorCBS Corporation (1997)
Headquarters
Pittsburgh
,
United States
Area served
United States, Canada, and international markets
Key people
Michael H. Jordan (CEO during 1990s restructuring)
ProductsGenerators, steam turbines, motors, switchgear, consumer electronics, household appliances, nuclear power systems, elevators, gas turbines, rail transit equipment
Number of employees
~50,000 (circa early 20th century) (1906)

The Westinghouse Electric Corporation was an American industrial manufacturer established in 1886 by George Westinghouse and based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Initially known as "Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company," it adopted the name "Westinghouse Electric Corporation" in 1945. During the first half of the 20th century, Westinghouse was a prominent force in heavy industry, electrical equipment production and distribution, consumer electronics, household appliances, and a wide array of related products. The company was a leading provider of generators and steam turbines and played a crucial role in advancing nuclear power technology, beginning with the development of the Westinghouse Atom Smasher in 1937.

Experiencing financial difficulties and leadership issues throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Westinghouse expanded into financial services, particularly focusing on mortgage lending. Substantial losses culminated in a 1992 reorganization that eliminated its credit division. In 1995, the corporation altered its direction by purchasing the CBS television network and subsequently rebranding itself as CBS Corporation, divesting most of its industrial holdings. This CBS entity was acquired by Viacom in 1999, with the merger finalized in 2000. After Viacom’s division in 2005, the CBS Corporation name was revived.

The nuclear power segment remained intact after these changes and was sold to BNFL in 1999, becoming the independent Westinghouse Electric Company. Ownership of the Westinghouse trademarks continues with Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

Origins

Founded by George Westinghouse on January 8, 1886, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Westinghouse Electric capitalized on European innovations in alternating current (AC) technology to establish AC electric infrastructure throughout the United States. The company’s principal manufacturing facilities were located in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lester, Pennsylvania, and Hamilton, Ontario, where they produced turbines, generators, motors, and switchgear essential for power generation and transmission. Notable early engineers included Frank Conrad, Benjamin Garver Lamme, Bertha Lamme—the first female mechanical engineer in America—Oliver B. Shallenberger, William Stanley, Nikola Tesla, Stephen Timoshenko, and Vladimir Zworykin.

Westinghouse emerged as an early rival to Thomas Edison's electric company. In 1892, Edison merged his enterprise with Westinghouse’s main AC competitor, the Thomson-Houston Electric Company, creating the larger conglomerate that became known as General Electric.

During the 20th century, Westinghouse engineers were awarded over 28,000 patents in the United States, positioning the company third among patent holders. The firm officially changed its name to Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1945.

Developments in the 1990s

In 1990, Westinghouse suffered a major financial blow when its lending division, Westinghouse Credit Corporation, incurred losses exceeding $1 billion due to high-risk loans.

To steer the company back to growth, CEO Michael H. Jordan was appointed from outside the organization. He restructured operations to emphasize broadcasting ventures by expanding Westinghouse Broadcasting Group W through acquisitions such as Infinity Broadcasting, TNN, CMT, and American Radio Systems. These deals involved investments surpassing $15 billion. To support this shift in focus, Westinghouse divested several units including defense electronics; metering and load control (sold to ABB); residential security; office furniture (Knoll); and refrigeration (Thermo King).

In 1994, Westinghouse purchased CBS Inc. for $5.4 billion and subsequently rebranded as CBS Corporation in 1997. That year also saw Siemens acquire Westinghouse's Power Generation Business Unit located in Orlando, Florida. In 1998, CBS divested its commercial nuclear power operations to British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL), which gained rights to use Westinghouse branding through its subsidiary, Westinghouse Electric Company—a subsidiary later sold to Toshiba in 2006.

Products and sponsorships

  • Power generation: As a trailblazer in the power generation sector, the company was instrumental in developing long-distance high-voltage alternating-current transmission and introduced electric lighting in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
  • Steam turbine generator: In 1901, Westinghouse launched its first commercially operated steam turbine generator, a 1,500 kW unit called Mary-Ann, at Hartford Electric Light Co. This marked the inaugural installation of a steam turbine generator by a US electric utility. Numerous contemporary steam turbine generators worldwide, with capacities reaching up to 1,500 MW, were either supplied by Westinghouse or manufactured under its license by prominent partners such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) and Harbin Turbine Co. (China).
  • Research: By the turn of the century, Westinghouse employed around 50,000 workers and formalized its research and development division by 1906. Despite this expansion, the company faced financial challenges during the Panic of 1907, which ultimately led to founder George Westinghouse stepping down in 1909.
  • Electrical technology: Under subsequent management, Westinghouse broadened its product range in electrical goods by acquiring Copeman Electric Stove Company in 1914 and Pittsburgh High Voltage Insulator Company in 1921. The firm ventured into radio broadcasting with stations KDKA and WBZ in 1921 and entered the elevator market through the Westinghouse Elevator Company established in 1928, which was later sold to Schindler Group in 1989. Revenue increased substantially from $43 million in 1914 to $216 million by 1929.
  • Aviation: Westinghouse developed the first operational American turbojet engine for the US Navy in 1943. However, following the unsuccessful J40 project after World War II, the company withdrew from aircraft engine production by shutting down its Aviation Gas Turbine Division in 1960.
  • Gas turbines: Building on its aviation gas turbine expertise, Westinghouse introduced its initial industrial gas turbine in 1948—a 2,000-horsepower model installed at Mississippi River Fuel Corp.—marking its entry into industrial and utility gas turbine markets before divesting its power generation segment to Siemens AG in 1997. The Combustion Turbine Systems Division was relocated to Orlando, Florida in 1987.
  • Nuclear power: Drawing from experience gained through US military nuclear programs, Westinghouse developed commercial nuclear energy systems. This enterprise continues today as Westinghouse Electric Company, owned by Canada's Brookfield Business Partners. Electricite de France was a longstanding licensee of its nuclear technology.
  • Industrial motors: The company's product lineup encompassed electric motors, elevators, control systems, and lighting solutions. In the 1970s, Westinghouse's Large Motor Division formed a joint venture with Taiwan Electric Co. (TECO); currently TECO-Westinghouse is a leading manufacturer of electric motors and generators. Its higher voltage power equipment division was sold to ABB in 1989.
  • Rail transit: The Transportation Division provided equipment for North American interurban railways and major subway systems such as New York City Subway’s R68A cars introduced in 1988. It also designed Automated People Movers for airports including Sea-Tac and Dallas-Ft. Worth. After being sold to AEG in 1988, this division became part of the AdTranz joint venture before Bombardier Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, acquired it.
  • Consumer electrics: Westinghouse manufactured a variety of household electrical appliances including radios, televisions, washers, and refrigerators. After more than fifty years competing closely with General Electric, it exited the appliance market during the mid-1970s when White Consolidated Industries acquired its appliance division and created White-Westinghouse.
  • World's Fair time capsules: The company was notable for sponsoring time capsules at the New York World's Fairs of 1939 and 1964 and took part in the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair as well. It also sponsored the Westinghouse Auditorium that displayed company products and facilities and was an original corporate partner at Walt Disney World's EPCOT attraction in Orlando.

Environmental incidents

Westinghouse has been associated with multiple chemical pollution events across the United States, none of which involved radioactive contamination.

  • Sharon facility: Situated in Sharon, Pennsylvania, this 58-acre site specialized in transformer manufacturing and was responsible for contaminating the Shenango River, prompting a "Do Not Eat" advisory for fish. The plant shut down in 1984, and its transformer division was acquired by ABB in 1989. Westinghouse submitted a comprehensive remediation plan in 1998, with ongoing cleanup obligations transferred to CBS following Westinghouse's dissolution. Currently, the location is occupied by a product design firm.
  • Adams County facility: At the Westinghouse Elevator Company plant in Adams County, Pennsylvania, groundwater contamination affected more than 100 wells during the 1980s, resulting in a $5.5 million fine imposed on Westinghouse in 1996. The elevator division was sold to Schindler in 1988, and responsibility for remediation was assigned to CBS after 1999.
  • Horseheads location: The cathode-ray tube manufacturing plant in Horseheads, New York, caused soil and groundwater contamination with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and arsenic. Cleanup efforts included soil removal and vapor extraction techniques. In 1986, Westinghouse partnered with Toshiba at this site through a joint venture; Toshiba acquired partial ownership in 1989. CBS now holds liability for environmental remediation.
  • Sunnyvale facility: This electronics manufacturing site in California contaminated nearby soil and groundwater with PCBs, fuels, and VOCs close to municipal drinking water supplies serving approximately 300,000 people. The unit was divested to Northrop Grumman in 1996; subsequent cleanup responsibilities have been transferred to CBS.

1880s

  • 1884 – George Westinghouse initiates work on a direct current (DC) electric lighting system.
  • 1885 – Westinghouse becomes aware of European alternating current (AC) transformer systems through the UK publication Engineering.
  • 1885 – William Stanley, Jr., employed by Westinghouse, invents the first functional AC transformer.
  • 1886 – Establishment of the Westinghouse Electric Company in East Pittsburgh.
  • 1886 – Stanley installs the inaugural operational multiple voltage transmission system using transformers in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
  • 1888 – Oliver B. Shallenberger creates an induction ampere-hour meter designed for AC applications.
  • 1888 – Westinghouse obtains licenses for Nikola Tesla’s patents on AC systems and induction motors; Tesla serves briefly as a consultant before departing.
  • 1889 – The company is renamed Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company.

1890s

  • 1891 – Constructed the first industrial-scale AC power system at Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant.
  • 1893 – Provided electric lighting and power for the World's Columbian Exposition and supplied generators to Gettysburg Electric Railway.
  • 1893 – Employed Bertha Lamme Feicht as the company’s first female engineer.
  • 1894 – Created a Transportation Division concentrating on railway equipment production.
  • 1895 – Installed hydropower AC generators at Adams Power Plant near Niagara Falls; power reached Buffalo, New York by 1896.
  • 1898 – Acquired Walker Manufacturing Co. of Cleveland, establishing a major plant producing power transmission machinery, cable railway systems, castings, and lighting components.
  • 1899 – Founded British Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company to support expansion into international markets.

1900s to 1920s

  • 1901 – purchases Bryant Electric Company based in Bridgeport, Connecticut, operating it as a subsidiary
  • 1901 – installs Westinghouse's inaugural steam turbine generator at Hartford Electric Light Co.
  • 1904 – collaborates with Baldwin to promote Baldwin-Westinghouse electric locomotives and alternating current railroad electrification, especially for the New Haven Railroad
  • 1909 – launches continuous-filament tungsten light bulb; succeeds George Westinghouse as chairman amid bankruptcy restructuring
  • 1914 – acquires Copeman Electric Stove Company from Lloyd Groff Copeman, marking entry into household appliances (later sold in 1974 to White Consolidated Industries)
  • 1914 – founder George Westinghouse passes away; credited with 361 patents and founding 60 enterprises
  • 1915 – New England Westinghouse Company manufactures Mosin–Nagant rifles for Russian Czar; after Bolshevik revolution cancels contracts, U.S. government procures rifles to avoid company insolvency
  • 1917 – British Westinghouse shares transferred to holding firm that evolves into Metropolitan-Vickers
  • 1917 – inaugurates steam turbine manufacturing facility in Lester, PA near Philadelphia airport
  • 1919 – initiates experimental radio station 8XE in Pittsburgh
  • 1919 – co-founds RCA alongside GE, AT&T, and United Fruit; acquires American branch of Marconi Company
  • 1920 – takes over International Radio Telegraph Company (previously National Electric Signaling Company)
  • 1921 – purchases Pittsburg High Voltage Insulator Company
  • 1920s – expands broadcasting operations with stations such as KDKA in Pittsburgh and WBZ in Springfield, later Boston
  • 1926 – partners with GE and RCA to establish NBC Broadcasting

1930s and 1940s

  • 1932 – unveils Ignitron mercury-arc rectifier
  • 1934 – opens the Home of Tomorrow exhibition in Mansfield, Ohio highlighting Westinghouse appliances
  • 1935 – completes longest uninterrupted electric steel annealing furnace at Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, Michigan
  • 1930s – sponsors research on the development of the magnetohydrodynamic generator
  • 1937 – constructs first industrial atom accelerator, a 5 MeV Van de Graaff electrostatic generator
  • 1940s – diversifies into aviation with airborne radar, jet propulsion systems, airport lighting; secures U.S. military contract for plastic helmet liners
  • 1941 – signs nationwide labor agreement with UE union following Supreme Court affirmation of National Labor Relations Act
  • 1943 – acquires lamp division of Kentucky-Radio Corporation through share exchange valued at $1.6 million
  • 1945 – changes name to Westinghouse Electric Corporation; introduces first automatic elevator and forms Aviation Gas Turbine Division
  • 1948 – launches "You Can Be Sure... If It's Westinghouse" advertising campaign

1950s to 1970s

  • 1951 – broadcasts first live network television program in the U.S.
  • 1952 – establishes Cathode Ray Tube plant in Horseheads, New York, incorporating multiple divisions
  • 1954 – enters financial services with the creation of Westinghouse Credit Corporation
  • 1955 – acquires KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh and KYW radio stations in Cleveland; exits aircraft engine market following J40 engine issues
  • 1957 – debuts popular "cobra head" streetlight model, the OV-25
  • 1961 – acquires Thermo King (divested in 1997)
  • 1964 – launches automated mass transit initiative named Skybus
  • 1965 – pioneers first microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device; acquires Marketeer Electronic Vehicles
  • 1966 – creates Cinema Center Films along with housing and real estate units; purchases toy manufacturing company
  • 1967 – installs first computer-controlled outdoor electric signage; submits lowest bid for BART transit project
  • 1969 – acquires bottling operations for 7 Up brand
  • 1973 – develops world’s earliest active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD)
  • 1974 – divests home appliance segment to White Consolidated Industries (White-Westinghouse)
  • 1979 – withdraws from Middle East oil ventures following Iranian Revolution

1980s

  • 1981 – Expands media portfolio by acquiring cable operator TelePrompter (later sold in 1985), Muzak (divested in 1986), and a 50% stake in Showtime for $576 million.
  • 1982 – Acquires robotics company Unimation; divests street lighting division to Cooper Lighting.
  • 1983 – Sells electric lamp division to Philips.
  • 1984 – Finalizes $105 million purchase of Unimation, enhancing robotics capabilities.
  • 1986 – Purchases a television station in Los Angeles; establishes a joint venture with Airship Industries to develop cutting-edge lighter-than-air radar platforms and early warning surveillance airships for the U.S. Navy through subsidiary TCOM Corp.
  • 1987 – Broadens broadcasting reach by acquiring radio stations in Sacramento and Chicago; also acquires divisions specializing in electrical equipment, engineering, and waste disposal services.
  • 1988 – Disposes of elevator and escalator business to Schindler Group; enters joint venture with Taiwan Electric to manufacture electric motors, which Taiwan Electric later fully acquires as TECO Motor Company; spins off Industrial and Government Tube Division into Imaging and Sensing Technologies Corporation; closes manufacturing facilities in East Pittsburgh and Lester, Pennsylvania; shutters Bryant Electric subsidiary with assets sold to Hubbell in 1991; sells Transportation Division, including locomotive and mass transit equipment, to AEG, which subsequently became part of Adtranz, Bombardier Transportation, and Alstom.
  • 1989 – Divests transmission and distribution operations, including watthour meter manufacturing, to ABB; acquires Shaw-Walker Furniture, Reff Furniture, and Legacy Broadcasting.

1990s to 2020s

  • 1990 – Acquires Knoll International Furniture.
  • 1994 – Purchases Norden electronic systems from United Technologies; sells Cleveland facilities to Eaton Corporation for $1.6 billion, repurposing them for commercial applications.
  • 1994–95 – Launches Westinghouse Communications division focused on IT and telephone service sales.
  • 1995 – Under CEO Michael H. Jordan, completes acquisition of CBS for $5.4 billion, significantly expanding media assets.
  • 1996 – Purchases Infinity Broadcasting for $4.7 billion; sells Westinghouse Electronic Systems defense unit to Northrop Grumman for $3 billion.
  • 1997 – Sells Thermo King to Ingersoll Rand; acquires American Radio Systems for $2.6 billion, increasing its radio station portfolio to 175; rebrands as CBS Corporation; divests non-nuclear power operations to Siemens, which operates them as Siemens Westinghouse until 2003.
  • 1998 – Establishes Westinghouse Licensing Corporation to oversee the Westinghouse brand management.
  • 1999 – Sells nuclear energy business to BNFL; acquires Outdoor Systems for $8.7 billion and King World Productions for $2.5 billion, enhancing content distribution capabilities.
  • 2000 – CBS is acquired by Viacom, integrating key media properties.
  • 2005 – Viacom splits into two companies: a new Viacom and the renamed CBS Corporation, restoring the Westinghouse heritage name and undoing the prior merger from 2000.
  • 2019 – Viacom and CBS reunite under the name Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS), consolidating their media assets.
  • 2021 – Westinghouse Electric Corporation regains ownership of the Westinghouse trademarks from ViacomCBS, strengthening brand identity.

Chief Executive Officers

  • George Westinghouse, 1886 to 1909
  • Edwin Herr, 1911 through 1929
  • Frank Anderson Merrick, 1929 until February 1938
  • George Bucher, from February 1938 to 1946
  • Gwilym Price, 1946 to 1957
  • Mark Cresap, Jr., 1957 through 1963
  • Don Burnham, 1963 to 1975
  • Robert Kirby, 1975 until 1983
  • Douglas Danforth, December 1983 to December 1987
  • John Marous, 1988 until June 29, 1990
  • Paul Lego, June 30, 1990 to January 1993
  • Gary Clark, January to July 1993
  • Michael Jordan, July 1993 through 1997

Additional Personnel

  • Guy Tripp, previously with Thomson-Houston, joined Westinghouse and chaired its board from 1912 until his passing in 1927.
  • Vladimir K. Zworykin, employed between 1918 and 1930, played a significant role in the company’s technological advancements.

International Branches

Westinghouse broadened its reach internationally by establishing subsidiaries such as British Westinghouse and Società Italiana Westinghouse in Italy. In 1919, British Westinghouse was merged into Metropolitan-Vickers, while the Italian manufacturing plant was sold to Tecnomasio in 1921.

See also

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Westinghouse_Electric_Corporation&oldid=10612"