Black & Decker

Black & Decker is an iconic brand name for power tools. The company is the world’s largest producer of power tools and accessories. They produce a huge variety of power tools such as saws, workmates, drills, grinders and sanders. In addition, there is an extensive range of garden tools including lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, shears and chainsaws.

The Black & Decker Corporation was founded in 1910 by S. Duncan Black and Alonzo G. Decker as a small machine shop in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1917, Black & Decker invented the familiar portable electric drill, obtaining a patent for a hand-held drill combining a pistol grip and trigger switch.

Members of the Black or Decker families subsequently lead the company in its global expansion for the next 60 years until 1975 when the first non family member became the CEO.

In 1985 Black & Decker turned 75. A celebration marking the occasion included placing a capsule of Company memorabilia in the newly renovated engineering building at Towson. The capsule will remain sealed until 2085.

The company uses more than just the Black and Decker brand name for its products, others they make include DeWalt, Porter-Cable, Delta Machinery, DeVilbiss Air Power, Kwikset, Weiser Lock, Price Pfister, and Vector.