CLEVELAND, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- In this wired and wireless world, no one gives a thought to motion and control technologies. But if you're logging long hours on a laptop, you'd expect it to work without bursting into flames, right?
That's where Parker technologies come in; performing the critical part of many dynamic functions that you don't notice, because they're working. The range of applications that rely on Parker is particularly diverse, touching everything from your cell phone to the moon.
Parker Hannifin got its start in 1918 when 33-year old engineer Arthur Parker founded the Parker Appliance Company in a tiny loft in Cleveland, Ohio. A pneumatic braking system for trucks and buses was the company's original widget.
Then came hydraulics for airplanes. Many aircraft pioneers called on Arthur Parker to make their planes fly better and farther and carry more payload. What's more, Charles Lindbergh specially requested Parker hydraulic connectors to be used in the Spirit of St. Louis for his historic Atlantic crossing in 1927.
Today, Parker's highly engineered systems control almost everything that moves. So when you see an excavator, any kind of aircraft, paper manufacturing, on- and off-road vehicles, air conditioning systems, refrigeration, or even a soft drink dispensing system at the ball park, it's Parker's motion and control technologies making things work better.
Parker makes the seals in automotive airbags. Moves the train doors that automatically open and close. Lowers and raises lifts for airplanes. Parker innovation includes special traction devices on four-wheel drive vehicles, like the popular Jeep Grand Cherokee -- recently named "The Most Capable SUV Ever," -- because of its Quadratrack system powered by Parker.
Parker extends in some surprising directions too. Parker technologies lift, shake, drop and stop amusement park thrill rides, flight simulators, and virtual-reality rides; create special effects in movies like Batman, Jaws and Titanic; and precisely rotate satellite dishes for maximum transmission efficiency.
Parker can even be found out of this world. Every space shuttle lifts off with more than 1,000 Parker products on board. To boot, Parker was there for man's first moon landing. The historic space flight of the Apollo 11 relied on Parker valves, fittings and seals. Some of the first words from the lunar module were, "Cycle the Parker valve."
The greater the advancement of technologies -- from electronic to biomedical breakthroughs -- the more opportunity there is for Parker's growth. Right now, Parker engineers are working on solutions that will change the way people are treated in surgery, diagnostics and therapy.
Parker technologies are ubiquitous: Wherever there is motion, wherever there is development -- wherever the standard and quality of living are being improved, Parker is never more than a few feet away, working, so you won't notice.
With nearly $6 billion in annual sales, Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH) is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies, providing systematic, precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, industrial and aerospace markets. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.parker.com or the investor information site at www.phstock.com . SOURCE Parker Hannifin Corporation
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Please see related story which moved on PR Newswire, "Parker to Acquire Wynn's International in $497 Million Transaction."/
CONTACT: Media, Lorrie Paul Crum, VP - Corp. Communications, 216-896-2750, or Financial Analysts, Timothy K. Pistell, Treasurer, 216-896-2130, both of Parker Hannifin Corporation/
