Albert Brown opened a small shop in Chicago in 1901, producing just a few plumbing fixtures and lamp shade frames. Ten years later, the product lines were growing quickly and Chicago Faucet started selling through local plumbing wholesalers. When Mr. Brown invented the Quaturn Cartridge in 1913, Chicago Faucet not only made plumbing history, they became a plumbing icon.
The Quaturn Cartridge
Brown’s patented Quaturn cartridge made it so effortless to start and stop the flow of water from a faucet, it simply was unimaginable at the time. What used to require several full turns, now only required one quarter turn. The life of a washer was extended exponentially. And the best part was (and still is today), the Quaturn cartridge was interchangeable in all Chicago Faucet products produced since 1913. Yes, they have been improved and technology has advanced incredibly in the nearly 100 years since the first patent was filed, yet, it is still replaceable - even today.
Through the Years
With the building boom of the early 1920s, Chicago Faucet became the commercial product source of choice. Commercial builders and other skilled professionals ordered faucets and valves over the next decade and kept Chicago Faucet growing. The company worked hard and developed a well deserved reputation throughout the Midwest.
When the Great Depression came, Chicago Faucet did everything they had to so they would not have to shut down. They picked up every little order they could find and worked only a couple of days per week just to keep the business going. Chicago Faucet entered an exhibit in the World’s Fair in 1933. The timing was perfect, the economy started back and the response from the fair was tremendous. The company gained a national reputation for the quality they displayed at the fair. And business boomed for another decade.
The company became part of the war effort during WWII and the Korean conflict. Manufacturing for the war department kept the company going strong, despite the employee loss they suffered from enlistment and the draft. In 1953, it was back to business as usual and the company has thrived ever since.
All of Chicago Faucet’s operations are located in the United States; production, assembly, and distribution. In 2002, the Geberit Group of Switzerland purchased Chicago Faucet and created a division called The Chicago Faucet Company. Geberit did not mover the company headquarters, Chicago Faucet stayed in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Environmental Effort
Chicago Faucet is environmentally focused. The company works toward conservation and preservation of the world’s natural resources. They have committed to not damage the environment for company gain. When working on new products and designs, they keep these ideals in mind at all times. |
