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The History of Soldering
A brief history of the Electric Soldering Iron and Soldering Gun
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| Soldering irons have been around for over 4,000 years.
Up until the late 1800s they were heated by open flame or burning coals. Typically irons were made with a wooden or iron handle and copper tip. |
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1894 
| The American Electrical Heater Company of Detroit Michigan begins manufacturing electric soldering irons.
Shortly after the American Beauty® line of soldering irons appears. |
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1921
| Ernst Sachs (Germany) claims to have developed the first electric soldering iron for industry (see note below) and ERSA begins commercial
production of a 200 watt electric soldering iron. |
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Note: I have found an advertisement from 1898 in a issue of "The Electrical Engineer" Vol. XXIV
showing a drawing and description of the American Electrical Heater Company's electric soldering iron which pre dates Ernst Sachs electric soldering iron by 23 years.
I also have an early electric soldering iron manufactured by GE with patent dates earlier than 1921.
1926
In December of 1926 William Alferink files for a U.S. patent for a
"Combined Holder and Automatic Circuit Breaker for Electric Soldering Irons" (first soldering station?).
On July third, 1928 the patent is granted.
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1937
In 1937 Supreme Instruments of Greenwood Mississippi produces the first "Pistol Grip" soldering iron specifically designed for radio repair.
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1946
Carl E. Weller is granted a patent in 1946 for his instant heat soldering gun and
starts production as the Weller Manufacturing Company in Easton Pennsylvania where he manufactures the first
"Speedy Iron" instant heat soldering gun.
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1949
1951
In 1951 WEN Products is founded and manufacturers their own instant heat soldering iron.
1954
Weller sues WEN Products in 1954 over soldering gun patent infringement.
Court finds in Weller's favor.
[More Details]
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1960
Weller is granted a patent in 1960 for the "Magnastat" soldering iron which controls the iron's temperature through the use of a temperature sensitive magnetic tip.
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1967
In 1967 Weller begins manufacturing it's W-TCP series soldering stations with a "Magnastat" iron.
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1970
Weller Manufacturing Company is sold to Cooper Industries.
Today
Precision programmable and temperature adjustable Soldering Stations are required for
micro-soldering of static sensitive and surface mount components.
Weller WX Series Programmable Digital Soldering Stations
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Remember to visit my Soldering Iron and Soldering Gun Collection
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