ABOUT ITW CAREERS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INVESTOR RELATIONS History More Than 100 years of Leadership, Innovation and Performance From a simple ad in The Economist to a global, diversified, multi-industrial manufacturing leader. Like many companies founded in the early 1900s, ITW’s humble beginnings are attributed to a few individuals with a passion to invent and create something new. ITW’s founders believed that unleashing people’s creativity would make the company great. Generations of ITW colleagues have fostered the ITW values of Integrity, Simplicity, Trust, Respect and Shared Risk, creating an environment that allows innovation to thrive. Today, this creative and entrepreneurial culture continues to fuel the company, and our people continue to embrace this legacy and lead us forward to reach our full potential to position ITW as one of the best-performing, highest-quality and most-respected companies in the world. OUR LEGACY More than a century of innovation and growth defines our history and sets the path for our future. 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Previous 1910s Chicago financier Byron L. Smith places an ad looking to invest in a manufacturing business. A small group of tool inventors comes forward, and together they launch Illinois Tool Works in Chicago in 1912. 1920s Moving toward specialized and patented products, ITW makes its first acquisition, Shakeproof Screw and Nut Lock Company. The company’s innovative washers solve stubborn auto manufacturing problems, just as the industry is taking off. 1930s Harold Byron Smith, grandson of Byron L. Smith, succeeds his father, Harold C. Smith, as company President. ITW continues to sell to radio and farm equipment markets with hopes of diversifying the company. ITW even advertises in mainstream publications—a first for a manufacturing company. Through careful management, ITW shows a profit every year of the Great Depression. Next SUPPLIERS CONTACT US PRIVACY STATEMENT TERMS OF USE Facebook Twitter LinkedIn © 2021 Illinois Tool Works Inc. All Rights Reserved. Download Acrobat Reader We use cookies and similar technologies on our Website to ensure you the best browsing experience. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control them in our Privacy Statement. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. To learn more, click here. I ACCEPT.