Garrett AiResearch

Garrett AiResearch was an American engineering and manufacturing business founded by John Clifford “Cliff” Garrett in Los Angeles in 1936. It began as the Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, was renamed Garrett Supply Company in 1937, and developed into AiResearch and AiResearch Manufacturing Company after Garrett established a small laboratory devoted to “air research” in 1939. The business initially concentrated on equipment for aircraft, but its work soon expanded into cabin pressurization, cooling, engines, controls, avionics, hydraulics, and other systems that helped define modern aerospace engineering. Its early importance was established during the Second World War. AiResearch produced oil coolers for aircraft including the Douglas DB-7 and intercoolers for Boeing B-17 and B-25 bombers. It also developed the cabin-pressurization system used on the Boeing B-29, one of the first production bombers designed for high-altitude pressurized operation. Near the end of the war, the company developed air-expansion cooling turbines for the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, linking engine energy, air expansion, and cockpit climate control in a compact system. Wartime demand made AiResearch a substantial defense supplier, but the postwar reduction in military production forced the company to search for commercial applications for its engineering capabilities. That diversification became the foundation of the company’s later identity. Garrett engineers developed small gas turbines, aircraft environmental-control equipment, flight-control systems, fluid controls, hydraulics, air-data systems, and avionics. Garrett technology supported aircraft and spacecraft programs ranging from commercial airliners to the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab missions. The company also pioneered foil bearings and inflatable aircraft evacuation slides. By the 1960s, its systems were installed on aircraft such as the Convair 880, Lockheed Super Constellation, Vickers Viscount, Sud Aviation Caravelle, Douglas DC-8, and Boeing 707. A second major business emerged from turbochargers. In 1954 Garrett separated its turbocharger activities from its gas-turbine department, creating the AiResearch Industrial Division in Phoenix. The division supplied the Caterpillar T-15 turbocharger in the mid-1950s and subsequently served earth-moving equipment, tractors, locomotives, ships, stationary power plants, trucks, and passenger cars. Garrett turbochargers were associated with a series of automotive milestones, including the Oldsmobile Jetfire, early competition and racing applications, the Saab 99, the Mercedes-Benz 300SD, and Renault’s Le Mans program. This industrial and automotive growth changed the company’s revenue mix: by the end of the 1970s, commercial business had become more important than military work. Garrett’s corporate independence ended after Cliff Garrett’s death in 1963. To prevent a hostile takeover of its assets by Curtiss-Wright, Garrett Corporation merged with Signal Oil and Gas in 1964. The combined company adopted The Signal Companies name in 1968. Signal merged with Allied Corporation in 1985, creating Allied-Signal, and AlliedSignal acquired Honeywell in 1999 before adopting the Honeywell name. Different Garrett businesses followed different paths: the engine operation became part of AlliedSignal’s aerospace business, while Garrett Aviation was sold to General Electric in 1997 and subsequently passed through several ownership and naming changes. Garrett AiResearch therefore survives primarily as a technological and historical legacy within aerospace, aircraft engines, environmental-control systems, and turbocharging rather than as an independent operating brand.

John Clifford “Cliff” Garrett established the Aircraft Tool and Supply Company in Los Angeles in 1936. The business became Garrett Supply Company in 1937 and developed into AiResearch after Garrett created a research laboratory focused on pressurized flight in 1939. The laboratory initially operated from a small building on Melrose Avenue. In the same year, Garrett incorporated Garrett Corporation, with Airsupply, Garrett Supply, and AiResearch Manufacturing operating as divisions. A manufacturing site was constructed in Glendale, California, and the company moved in 1941 to a larger facility near what became Los Angeles International Airport. During the Second World War, AiResearch supplied equipment for major American aircraft programs. Its products included oil coolers, intercoolers, and cabin-pressurization systems. The company’s pressurization equipment was used on the Boeing B-29, while its cooling turbines were developed for the Lockheed P-80 jet fighter. Wartime sales and employment grew substantially, but postwar demobilization reduced the workforce sharply. This pressure encouraged Garrett to commercialize small gas turbines, aircraft environmental-control equipment, and other technologies developed for military use. In the late 1940s and 1950s, Garrett expanded from aircraft accessories into gas turbines, hydraulics, fluid controls, avionics, air-data systems, and environmental-control systems. Its equipment entered commercial airliners and supported spacecraft life-support programs. Garrett pioneered foil-bearing technology and supplied systems for aircraft ranging from the Lockheed Super Constellation and Vickers Viscount to the Douglas DC-8 and Boeing 707. The company also developed inflatable evacuation slides and centralized air-data equipment. Turbocharging became a second defining business. In 1954 Garrett separated turbocharger development from its gas-turbine department and formed the AiResearch Industrial Division in Phoenix. The division supplied a turbocharger for Caterpillar’s D9 tractor program and subsequently served industrial machinery, trucks, locomotives, ships, and stationary power systems. The T11 helped establish Garrett in truck and diesel applications. In 1962, Garrett technology powered the Oldsmobile Jetfire, described in the company’s historical record as the first turbocharged production non-sports car. Later milestones included turbocharger applications in Indianapolis racing, the Saab 99, the Mercedes-Benz 300SD, and Renault’s Le Mans program. Garrett’s physical and commercial expansion continued through the 1960s and 1970s. A Torrance, California facility opened in stages after construction began in 1959, eventually becoming a major center of activity. The company broadened its nonmilitary business, and commercial products such as turbochargers and general-aviation equipment became more important than defense contracts. Garrett’s aircraft-engine activities included turboprops and turbofans, while its systems business continued to cover cabin conditioning, pressurization, flight controls, and aerospace electronics. The company’s independence ended after Cliff Garrett died in 1963. Garrett Corporation merged with Signal Oil and Gas in 1964 to protect its assets from a potential Curtiss-Wright takeover. The resulting organization was renamed The Signal Companies in 1968. Signal merged with Allied Corporation in 1985, producing Allied-Signal. In 1999, AlliedSignal acquired Honeywell and adopted the Honeywell name. Garrett’s former divisions were subsequently reorganized: the engine operation became part of AlliedSignal’s aerospace business, while Garrett Aviation was sold to General Electric in 1997 and later passed through Landmark Aviation and StandardAero-related ownership changes. Garrett AiResearch is consequently a defunct independent corporate entity whose engineering heritage remains visible in Honeywell aerospace activities, aircraft-engine lineages, and Garrett-branded turbocharging history.

• 1999

  AlliedSignal becomes Honeywell

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  After acquiring Honeywell, AlliedSignal adopts the Honeywell corporate identity.

• 1985

  Signal merges with Allied Corporation

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  The transaction creates Allied-Signal and places Garrett’s businesses within a larger industrial group.

• 1968

  Combined company becomes The Signal Companies

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  The post-merger corporation adopts the Signal name.

• 1964

  Garrett merges with Signal Oil and Gas

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  The merger follows Cliff Garrett’s death and concerns about a possible hostile takeover.

• 1962

  Turbocharging reaches a production passenger car

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  Garrett turbocharging is used in the Oldsmobile Jetfire Rocket.

• 1955

  T-15 turbocharger enters industrial production

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  The first T-15 turbocharger is delivered to Caterpillar for heavy equipment applications.

• 1954

  Industrial turbocharger division begins

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  Garrett separates turbocharger activities from the gas-turbine department, creating the AiResearch Industrial Division.

• 1942

  Phoenix division is created

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  To move vital production inland during wartime, AiResearch establishes a Phoenix operation and an Arizona subsidiary.

• 1939

  AiResearch and Garrett Corporation are established

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  Garrett creates an air-research laboratory, incorporates Garrett Corporation, and organizes AiResearch Manufacturing as one of its divisions.

• 1936

  Aircraft Tool and Supply Company is founded

  [1]Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org

  Cliff Garrett establishes the Los Angeles company that later becomes Garrett AiResearch.

A vertically capable aerospace and propulsion engineering specialist known for practical, high-reliability systems spanning aircraft accessories, environmental control, gas turbines, engines, avionics, and turbocharging. Its distinguishing position was the transfer of aerospace engineering into commercial aviation, automotive, transportation, and industrial markets.

• Turboprop engine

  Garrett TPE331

  The TPE331 is a Garrett turboprop engine family developed for aircraft propulsion. It represents the company’s long-running specialization in compact turbine engines and became one of the best-known engine lines associated with the Garrett name.

• Turbofan engine

  Garrett TFE731

  The TFE731 is a Garrett turbofan family developed for aviation applications. It formed part of the company’s transition from aircraft accessories into complete propulsion systems and was later associated with AlliedSignal’s aerospace engine organization.

• Automotive and industrial turbocharger · 1955

  Garrett turbochargers

  Garrett turbochargers were developed for heavy equipment, trucks, locomotives, ships, stationary power plants, and passenger cars. The product family grew from the T-15 and T11 programs and helped transfer AiResearch’s turbine, compressor, sealing, and materials expertise into high-volume commercial markets.

• Aerospace systems

  Aircraft environmental-control systems

  AiResearch developed cabin pressurization, air conditioning, cooling, and life-support equipment for military aircraft, commercial airliners, and spacecraft. These systems were central to Garrett’s identity as an aircraft-systems supplier and supported crew and passenger operation at altitude.

• Turboprop engine

  Garrett TPF351

  The TPF351 was among the turboprop engine programs associated with Garrett AiResearch. It illustrates the company’s participation in the development of turbine propulsion beyond its better-known TPE331 family.

• Turbofan engine

  Garrett ATF3

  The ATF3 was a Garrett turbofan program included among the company’s aircraft-engine products. It formed part of Garrett’s broader portfolio of propulsion technologies developed alongside turbochargers and aircraft accessory systems.

• 1999

  Adopt the Honeywell name after acquisitionM&A

  Background

  AlliedSignal acquired Honeywell and evaluated which corporate identity would be retained.

  Action taken

  The combined company adopted Honeywell because the name had greater public recognition.

  Aftermath

  Garrett’s remaining aerospace heritage became part of Honeywell rather than continuing under an independent Garrett AiResearch corporation.

  Source

• 1964

  Merge Garrett Corporation with Signal Oil and GasM&A

  Background

  After Cliff Garrett’s death, the company faced the possibility of a hostile takeover of its assets by Curtiss-Wright.

  Action taken

  Garrett Corporation merged with Signal Oil and Gas, combining the businesses under a new corporate structure.

  Aftermath

  Garrett ceased to operate as an independent corporate group and later became part of the AlliedSignal and Honeywell succession.

  Source

• 1954

  Separate turbochargers into an industrial divisionStrategy

  Background

  Garrett identified expanding commercial opportunities for diesel and industrial turbochargers distinct from its aircraft gas-turbine work.

  Action taken

  The company separated the turbocharger group from the gas-turbine department and established the AiResearch Industrial Division in Phoenix.

  Aftermath

  The decision created a major commercial growth platform serving heavy equipment, transportation, marine, stationary-power, and automotive customers.

  Source

1. 1Garrett AiResearchen.wikipedia.org