In 1912, on the eve of World War I, Chicago financier Byron L. Smith placed an ad seeking an investment opportunity for “a growing manufacturing business.” Four men answered: Frank W. England, Paul B.

Goddard, Oscar T. Hogg and Carl G. Olson. Together, these forward-thinking businessmen formed a company to manufacture and sell metal-cutting tools.

   The company expands its original metal cutting tool products to include truck transmissions, pumps and other items for America’s World War I effort.

   The genesis of Signode, which later joins ITW, begins with John (Jack) W. Leslie’s investment in a company that incorporates coil steel strap and seals for packaging containers and products.

   The DeVilbiss family works diligently to combine an adjustable atomizer with a spray gun. Their innovation results in the development of spray finishing for the application of paint. DeVilbiss later becomes a significant portion of ITW’s business.