Bendix Corporation facts for kids
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| Industry | Automotive |
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| Fate | Buyout; 2002 |
| Successor | Knorr Bremse |
| Founded | 1924 |
| Founder | Vincent Bendix |
| Headquarters | Avon, Ohio, US |
| Parent |
(2008-present) |
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The Bendix Corporation was an American company that made many different products. Over the years, it created parts for cars and airplanes. This included things like car brakes, aircraft systems, and even early computers.
You might have heard the name "Bendix" on old washing machines. However, Bendix Corporation didn't actually make those. Another company used the Bendix name under a special agreement.
Contents
How Bendix Corporation Started
Bendix Corporation was founded by an inventor named Vincent Bendix. In 1914, he got a patent for something called the Bendix drive. This clever invention helps a car's starter motor connect to the engine. It's still used in most cars today!
Vincent Bendix started his company in Chicago in 1914. He worked with a bicycle brake company called Eclipse Machine Company. This partnership helped Bendix create a strong base for his future business.
Bendix and the Car Industry
In 1924, General Motors bought a part of Bendix. They wanted to keep up with new ideas in both cars and airplanes. Bendix owned many important patents for car parts. These included brakes, carburetors, and engine starter drives.
Bendix officially started in 1924 in South Bend, Indiana. At first, it made brake systems for cars and trucks. They supplied parts to General Motors and other car makers. Bendix made both hydraulic brakes and a special vacuum booster called TreadleVac. In 1924, Vincent Bendix also got the rights to Henri Perrot's designs for drum brakes.
In 1956, Bendix introduced a new electronic fuel injection system called Electrojector. Some 1958 Chrysler cars offered this system as an option.
During the 1960s, Bendix made big improvements to car brakes. They created disc brakes and the "Duo-Servo" system for drum brakes. This Duo-Servo system became very popular around the world. Bendix also made reliable bicycle parts, like a 2-speed rear axle and single-speed coaster brake hubs.
Later, in the 1980s, another company called Allied Signal took over Bendix. Allied Signal sold off Bendix's brake and steering parts to focus on aerospace. Today, the Bendix brake name is used by Germany's OPTIMAL company.
Bendix in Aviation and Space
In 1929, Vincent Bendix expanded into aviation. The company was renamed "Bendix Aviation" to show its new focus. Bendix supplied aircraft makers with hydraulic systems for brakes and flaps. They also created a special "pressure carburetor" that was very important during World War II.
Bendix also made many electrical and electronic tools for airplanes. The Bendix radio division, started in 1937, made radios for aircraft. During World War II, Bendix made about 75% of all the electronic equipment in US aircraft. They also made radar systems during and after the war.
Bendix was a big part of the war effort. They were one of the top companies for wartime production contracts in the United States.
Bendix also designed and built parts for missiles, like the RIM-8 Talos missile for the US Navy. They even built and installed the telemetry system for the first crewed space flights. This system helped doctors on the ground watch astronauts' heart rates and breathing.
In 1966, NASA chose Bendix to help with the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP). These were scientific tools that astronauts left on the Moon during the Apollo Program.
Bendix and Computers
In 1956, Bendix Aviation's computer division introduced the Bendix G-15. This was a mini-computer about the size of two tall filing cabinets. The company sold around 400 of these computers.
The main designer of the G-15 was Harry Huskey. He had worked with famous computer pioneers like Alan Turing.
Bendix and Science Tools
In the 1950s, Bendix worked with scientists to combine two important techniques: gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. This led to new tools for scientific research. Starting in the 1960s, Bendix made scientific instruments like the Bendix MA-2 Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer.
Bendix also made special devices called Radiological Dosimeters. These were used during the Cold War to measure radiation. They even made a kit for families to measure radiation at home.
Bendix and Public Transport
In the late 1960s, Bendix bought the rights to a system called Dashaveyor. They wanted to use it to create an automated public transport system. This system used passenger cars running on rubber wheels.
One Dashaveyor system was built at the Toronto Zoo Domain Ride in Canada. It operated from 1976 until 1994. However, Bendix stopped trying to sell the system by 1975 because it didn't get much interest.
Bendix and Home Electronics
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After World War II, Bendix started making radios and record players for homes. This grew out of their experience making aircraft radios. In 1948, Bendix also began selling car radios directly to car companies like Ford.
From 1950 to 1959, Bendix even made television sets. However, their production of radios for homes stopped in the 1960s. This happened when car companies like Ford and General Motors started making their own radios.
Recent Changes for Bendix
Since 2002, Bendix has been part of a company called Knorr-Bremse. In 2020, Bendix announced it would move its main office to Avon, Ohio. The new office was expected to open in November 2021.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Between 1970 and 1990, Bendix went through many changes. It merged with or was bought by several companies, including Raytheon and Allied Signal. This meant that Bendix's original company identity became less clear. However, some of these companies continued to use the Bendix brand name for certain products.
In 1982, Bendix tried to take over another company called Martin Marietta. Bendix bought most of Martin Marietta's shares. But Martin Marietta fought back and tried to buy Bendix instead! Another company, United Technologies, also got involved.
In the end, a company called Allied Corporation stepped in and bought Bendix in 1983. Allied Corporation later became AlliedSignal, and then bought Honeywell. Because of this, Bendix became a brand under Honeywell.
In 2002, Knorr-Bremse took over the part of Honeywell that made brakes for commercial vehicles. This is how Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems became a part of Knorr-Bremse.
See also
- Bendix drive
- Ernest L. Webster, formed Startomatic Company, which was leased to Bendix
- Michael Blumenthal
- William Agee
- Mary Cunningham
