RAIN BIRD CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF IRRIGATION INNOVATION
The Patent for the Horizontal Action Impact Drive Sprinkler Was Filed in 1933
Starting Seven Decades of Irrigation Innovation by Rain Bird
Azusa, Calif., (December 18, 2008) – Rain Bird, the worldwide leading manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services, celebrates today 75 years since the filing of the patent for its first product – the Horizontal Action Impact Drive Sprinkler Head. That first sprinkler revolutionized the food production industry and ushered in a new era in irrigation. Over the ensuing years, Rain Bird has been awarded more than 130 patents for innovative irrigation technology focused on effective, efficient and responsible irrigation through the Intelligent Use of WaterÔ.
Clem and Mary La Fetra recognized the potential of this device, which was invented by their neighbor and citrus farmer Orton Englehardt.in 1932. Clem La Fetra urged Englehardt to file for a patent for the invention, which he did in 1933. However, Englehardt preferred farming, so in 1935 he sold the business to La Fetra, whose family still operate the company today.
While the company initially focused on irrigation of citrus crops, one of its first commercial customers in the early ‘30s was the Los Angeles Country Club. Today, 75 years later, Rain Bird sprinklers, valves and controllers are used to manage outdoor water use in varied applications – amusement parks, sports arenas, golf courses, botanical gardens, private homes, farms and vineyards – both domestically and internationally.
“We’re very proud of the pioneering role Rain Bird has played in irrigation,” says Director of Corporate Marketing Dave Johnson. “Nearly eight decades on, we continue to strive for improvements to the efficiency of outdoor water management by providing products and services that use this precious resource as intelligently as possible.”
In 1990, the American Society of Agricultural Engineers designated the Rain Bird Impact Drive Sprinkler Head as a historic landmark of agricultural engineering. The Rain Bird sprinkler was recognized for its major impact on worldwide agricultural development and the efficient use of water in sprinkler irrigation. This invention led to sprinkler irrigation development that currently exceeds 50 million acres worldwide
Since its entrance into the marketplace, Rain Bird has become the largest manufacturer of irrigation systems in the world. Rain Bird manufactures and sells over 4,000 irrigation products, meeting the needs of growers, golf course superintendents, homeowners, contractors and commercial property managers -- in over 130 countries.
Today, Rain Bird is committed to The Intelligent Use of Waterand is dedicated to educating the public about water conservation and its critical role in the environment. Since 1997, Rain Bird has taken that message to be heard and seen worldwide with its annual participation in the Tournament of Roses Parade – exhibiting its beautiful and inventive floats to draw global attention to the importance of water to all animal species and natural habitats. This year marks the company’s 13th year participating in this New Year’s Day tradition in Pasadena, Calif.
“It is a celebratory year for us,” adds Johnson. “The anniversary underscores our ongoing commitment to leveraging our expertise and innovative technologies to drive the message of water conservation globally.”
ABOUT RAIN BIRD CORPORATION
Based in Azusa, CA, Rain Bird Corporation is the leading
manufacturer and provider of irrigation products and services.
Since its beginnings in 1933, Rain Bird has offered the industry’s
broadest range of irrigation products for farms, golf courses,
sports arenas, commercial developments and homes in more
than 130 countries around the world. Rain Bird has been awarded
more than 130 patents, including the first in 1935 for the
impact sprinkler. Rain Bird and The Intelligent Use of Water™ is
about using water wisely. Its commitment extends beyond products
to education, training and services for the industry and
the community. Rain Bird maintains state-of-the-art manufacturing
assembly facilities in the United States, France, Sweden
and Mexico. www.rainbird.com
