Ever wonder how the O-ring got developed? Well, wonder no more. We have a little story for you in honor of National Inventor Month!
Once upon a time, in the early 1930’s, there was an independent inventor named Niels Christensen. Christensen had developed the air brake, gasoline engines, car and airplane starters, and more. However, his most notable invention came later in life.
Christensen is most known for perfecting the O-ring while developing automobile brakes. In 1937, at the age of 72, he received a patent for his improved O-ring. Manufacturers, however, weren’t interested in the O-ring until World War II, as parts for aircrafts reached a higher demand than ever before.
After testing on a Northrop Plane, Christensen was eventually able to sell O-rings to the military. By the early 1940’s, only a few years after he received his patent, Christensen’s O-rings became the standard seal for the Air Force hydraulic systems. From there, the basic sizes and design information were established.
In 1941, Niels Christensen licensed his O-ring patent to United Aircraft, with hopes of a bright (and very rich) future. Then, with the occurrence of Pearl Harbor, the government bought out all the key military patents, giving them away to manufacturers and simultaneously shorting Christensen and other inventors of their well-earned profits.
In the 1950’s, O-rings became more widely used for industrial hydraulics, farm equipment, passenger car accessories, plumbing, appliances, pumps and valve, and many other devices.
Today, billions of O-rings are sealing ever conceivable apparatus all over the world – in the air, on land, at sea, and even in outer space.
Niels Christensen died at the age of 87. Although he may not have gotten the monetary credit he deserved from his invention during his lifetime, we sure are happy he perfected the O-ring and made it readily available for diverse applications.
See how Apple Rubber has perfected the O-ring! Visit www.applerubber.com to learn about our advanced standard seals and specialty products!
*References Used:
http://inventors.about.com/od/ofamousinventions/a/O_Ring.htm
http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi555.htm