The long history of Mueller Co., with its divisions and subsidiaries companies, is highlighted by numerous significant events and "industry firsts". Many product developments have become industry standards, attesting to Mueller's leadership and innovative approach to product design.
1857 - H. MUELLER arrives in Decatur, IL and opens business
1859 - HAWES AND HERSEY COMPANY established in Boston, MA
1872 - Mueller patents WATER/GAS MAIN TAPPING MACHINE
1872 - Mueller introduces THREADED CORPORATION VALVES
1872 - Mueller develops "CC" THREAD FOR CORPORATION VALVES
1878 - Mueller patents WATER/GAS PRESSURE REGULATOR
1880 - Hersey patents SUGAR CUBE MAKING MACHINE
1885 - HERSEY® METER COMPANY established
1885 - Hersey ships first ROTARY TYPE WATER METER
1885 - Mueller patents ROLLER BEARING CONCEPT FOR ROLLER SKATES
1892 - Mueller patents STOP WITH DRAIN for water lines application
1895 - Mueller/Benz car WINS FIRST SANCTIONED AUTO RACE in America
1897 - Mueller patents MODERN AUTOMOTIVE SPARK PLUG
1897 - Mueller patents MAKE-AND-BREAK AUTOMOTIVE DISTRIBUTOR
1897 - Mueller patents AUTOMOTIVE USE OF WATER COOLED RADIATOR
1898 - Mueller patents VARIABLE SPEED AUTOMOTIVE TRANSMISSION
1900 - Mueller patents SERVICE CLAMP for use on water and gas mains
1904 - Mueller awarded GOLD MEDAL GRAND PRIZE at St. Louis World Fair
1905 - Hersey patents 3-STAGE FIRE LINE/MASTER WATER METER
1907 - Mueller introduces first GAS SHUTOFF VALVE as part of service tee connection
1923 - Mueller introduces COPPER PLUMBING AND FLARE CONNECTIONS for domestic use
1926 - Pratt introduces first RUBBER SEATED BUTTERFLY VALVES
1933 - Mueller patents INSERTING VALVE for adding gate valves to water lines under pressure
1933 - Mueller patents NO-BLO® SYSTEM for working on natural gas lines without gas escaping
1933 - Mueller introduces RELUBRICATABLE GAS VALVES
1936 - Mueller introduces MECHANICAL GAS LINE STOPPER
1939 - Mueller patents HIGH PRESSURE LINE STOPPING FITTINGS for natural gas lines
1941 - Mueller develops ARMOR PIERCING SHELL used to defeat Rommel's tanks in North Africa
1949 - Mueller patents TAMPER-PROOF GAS VALVE
1949 - Mueller introduces O-RING SEALED WATER/GAS MACHINES
1951 - Mueller introduces O-RING SEALED LUBOSEAL® GAS VALVES
1951 - Pratt introduces first OBROUND SHAPED RUBBER-SEATED BUTTERFLY VALVES
1953 - Pratt introduces first RECTANGULAR SHAPED RUBBER-SEATED BUTTERFLY VALVES
1959 - Mueller introduces O-RING SEALED ORISEAL® WATER VALVES
1959 - Mueller develops INSULATED UNIONS
1960 - Pratt introduces first RUBBER-SEATED BALL VALVES
1962 - Mueller introduces AUTO-PERF® SELF PERFORATING GAS TEES
1967 - Mueller introduces 110® COMPRESSION CONNECTION with superior pipe pullout resistance
1970 - Mueller introduces INSTA-TITE® STAB CONNECTION for plastic water lines
1989 - Mueller Albertville Plant PRODUCES ONE-MILLIONTH CENTURION® FIRE HYDRANT
1989 - Albertville, Alabama DECLARED "HYDRANT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD"
1989 - Hersey Meters becomes part of Mueller Co.
1993 - Mueller headquarters and Engineering CERTIFIED ISO 9001
1993 - Mueller Chattanooga and Albertville plants CERTIFIED ISO 9001
1994 - Hersey plant CERTIFIED ISO 9002
1996 - Henry Pratt Company and James Jones Company become Mueller Co. subsidiaries
1997 - Mueller Decatur plant CERTIFIED ISO 9001
1999 - Mueller Albertville plant PRODUCES TWO-MILLIONTH CENTURION® FIRE HYDRANT
2000 - Mueller introduces AQUAGRIPTM PIPE CONNECTION AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM
2002 - Mueller introduces Hydrant Defender® Security Devise
2004 - Mueller introduces MAGIC BOX® IN-SERVICE POLYETHYLENE INSERTING MACHINE