BOOMBOX: EMERSON

Emerson Electric Company is a major multinational corporation headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This Fortune 500 company provides engineering services and innovative solutions for the customers in a wide range of industrial, commercial, and consumer markets.

Emerson is one of the largest conglomerate companies in the United states. As of 2007, it has a workforce of approximately 138,000 employees worldwide with a global presence spanning 150 countries.

Emerson was established in 1890 by the brothers Charles and Alexander Meston along with the principal investor, John Wesley Emerson. The company was then known as Emerson Electric Manufacturing Co. Emerson manufactured electric motors and fans using an electric motor patented by the Meston brothers. In 1892, it was the first to sell electric fans in the United States. It quickly expanded its product line to include electric sewing machines, electric dental drills, and power tools.

During World War II under the leadership of Stuart Symington, it became the world's largest manufacturer of airplane armament. Symington went on to be the first Secretary of the Air Force and a U.S. Senator from Missouri.