From Ancient Inventions to Modern Engineering
The pump industry has evolved tremendously since its humble beginnings in ancient Egypt. From hand-operated shadoofs in ancient Egypt to today’s smart, sensor-driven pumps, the pump industry has mirrored human progress — enabling agriculture, mining, water supply, energy, and high-tech industries.
Driving trends
One trend has been the increasing importance of niche positive displacement pumps, particularly rotary types. Peristaltic, progressing cavity and rotary lobe pumps have all risen in profile as their capabilities have been introduced to new markets by improved communications. Increasing competition has meant that users have been more inclined to experiment in the search for the ideal pump for difficult duties.
The trends that have affected all of us have also had their impact on the pump market. Increased environmental awareness gave a real boost to pumps without shaft seals. Magnetic drive and canned motor units have thrived and even produced a hybrid combining the two technologies. Pump shaft sealing has also changed dramatically. Asbestos in packing is outlawed and today the vast majority of new pumps are supplied with mechanical seals, often in factory-assembled cartridge format to avoid the risk of face damage during handling.
Materials have also developed. Sea-water pumps have seen gunmetal and aluminum bronze replaced by highly alloyed super-austenitic and super-duplex stainless steels. New non-metals have made possible tiny pumps for human implant. Ceramics and tungsten/silicon carbide have vastly reduced wear rates in pumps of all sizes. Even large sub-sea variable speed super-synchronous drive motors for pumps are now possible.
Overtaken by computers
Electronics and computers have overtaken all our lives and inevitably have entered the physical world of pumps in the form of variable speed drives (VSD’s), SCADA systems and condition monitoring equipment. Integral VSDs on in-line pumping units now dominate the building services market. Pump selection software has speeded up the process of choosing a pump, as well as opening opportunities in marketing. For the designer, CAD and CFD have reached new heights. They can now interact but they still have some way to go before they fully replace personal expertise.
Ancient Beginnings
- ~2000 BCE – The Shadoof
One of the earliest known pump devices, the shadoof, was a manual water-lifting tool used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It consisted of a long pole and counterweight, ideal for irrigating fields along the Nile. - 3rd Century BCE – Archimedes’ Screw
Greek engineer Archimedes invented a screw-like device that could lift water when turned. Variants of the Archimedes’ screw are still used today in low-lift applications and wastewater treatment.
The Birth of Mechanical Pumps
- 1st Century BCE – Piston and Force Pumps
Roman engineer Vitruvius documented wooden force pumps made of bronze and leather. These could raise water and were used for firefighting and ship bilge draining. - Middle Ages – Suction Pumps
Suction-style pumps became more common during the medieval period, particularly for mining and domestic water lifting. Windmills were sometimes used to power them.
The Industrial Revolution: A Turning Point
- 1600s–1700s – Steam and Reciprocating Pumps
As mining grew deeper, the need to remove water from shafts led to breakthroughs. Thomas Savery’s steam-powered pump (1698) and Thomas Newcomen’s atmospheric engine (1712) paved the way for industrial pumping. - Late 1700s – Centrifugal Pumps
Invented by British engineer John Appold in the mid-19th century, centrifugal pumps offered continuous flow and low maintenance—an innovation that changed industrial fluid handling.
Late 20th – Early 21st Century
- Automation & controls: Pumps integrated with sensors, PLCs, and SCADA systems.
- Energy efficiency: Growing importance of variable frequency drives (VFDs) to save power.
- Environmental regulations: Push for leak-proof, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly pumping solutions.
- Globalization: Major pump manufacturers emerged across USA, Germany, Japan, India, and China.
it is also interesting to note from the chronology of the major milestones of the pump industry listed below, .
-
200 BC
- Ctesibius invents the reciprocating pump
- Archimedean screw pump described (but not invented) by Archimedes
- Sliding vane pump invented by Ramelli
- Serviere invents the gear pump
- Otto van Guericke invents his piston vacuum pump
- Sir Samuel Morland patents the packed plunger pump
- Ural hydraulic machinery plant established
- Plenty Ltd established
- Thomas Simpson establishes his pump business in London Hayward Tyler established.
1830
- Screw pump invented by Revillion
1834
- Sulzer Brothers founded
1840
- Henry R Worthington invents the first direct-acting steam pump
1848
- Goulds Pumps founded
1851
- John Gwynne patents his centrifugal pump improvements
1853
- Bornemann Pumpen founded
1856
- Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon founded
1857
- Roper Pump Company founded
- Jacob Edson invents the diaphragm pump and founds the Edson Corporation
1860
- David Brown commences business as pattern maker
- Allweiler founded
- A.S. Cameron invents the first reciprocating steam pump
1861
- Allis Chalmers Manufacturing. Co, Milwaukee, WI., USA founded
1862
- Lawrence Pumps established
- Philipp Hilge founded
1866
- Lederle founded
- Sigma Lutin founded
- Stork Pumpen founded Scanpump founded
1871
- KSB established
- Southern Cross established in Australia
- George and James Weir set up the partnership that forms the Weir Group
1872
- Weise & Monski, Ochsner, Byron Jackson and Wilo founded
1873
- G & J Weir moves to Glasgow
1874
- Herborner Pumpenfabrik found by J H Hoffman
1875
- Hodgkin and Neuhaus, forerunner of SPP, founded.
1877
- Ritz Pumpenfabrik established
1878
- Steimel founded
- Hodgkin and Neuhaus becomes the Pulsometer Engineering Company Ltd
1881
- Halberg Maschinenbau founded
1882
- Mahlon Layne invents the vertical turbine pump.
1883
- Holden & Brooke founded
- A W Chesterton founded
1884
- Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Co. builds world’s largest centrifugal pump
1888
- Kirloskar Brothers Ltd founded
1890
- Salmson starts making pumps in Paris
- Osna Pumpen established
1893
- Uraca Pumpenfabrik founded
1894
- Sero Pumpenfabrik founded
- Peroni founded
1897
- Wirth founded
- Worthington Pump Company and Thomas Simpson amalgamate to form Worthington Simpson Ltd
1901
- Flygt’s forerunner Stenberg founded
1903
- Rateau founded
- Blackmer founded in Petosky MI, USA
- Mahlon Layne and entrepreneur P.D Bowler begin manufacturing vertical turbine pumps as Layne Bowler in MS, USA.
1905
- Leistritz Company established
1906
- Stuart Turner Ltd founded
- André Petit invents the eccentric disc pump, Mouvex founded in Paris, France
1907
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries produces its first pump
1909
- Tristam Pumpen and Pumpen fabrik Ernst Vogel founded
- Ingersoll-Rand enters the pump business by acquiring the Cameron Steam Pumps Works
1910
- Gilbarco produces its first gasoline pump
- Dickow Pumpen and Hitachi founded
- OSNA established by J. Hartlage
1911
Jens Nielsen builds the first Viking internal gear pump, founding the Viking Pump Company
1912
- Ebara Corporation founded
- Duriron (Durco Pumps) founded
1913
- Myers Gog Gear enables the pump user to retrieve water from the down stroke as well as up stock with 40% less effort
1915
- Gaso (reciprocating pumps) formed in Tulsa, OK, USA
1916
- Hazleton Pumps founded as Barrett Haentjens and Co.
- Worthington Pump & Machinery Corporation acquires Worthington Simpson Ltd
- Gaso Burner Manufacturing Company formed – designs reciprocating piston pump for oil
1917
- John Crane founded
- Hydraulic Institute established
- Louis Bergeron invented the concrete volute pump and founded Bergeron S.A.
1918
- Scanpump and CCM Sulzer founded
1919
Torishima Pump Mfg Co and Kawamoto Pump Mfg established
1920
- Bombas Itur, Wernert Pumpen and SIHI established
1923
- Peerless founded
- Pacific Pumps founded
1924
- Jung Pumpen established
- Leistritz starts making screw pumps
- Rheinhuette starts pump production
1928
Girdlestone Pumps founded
1929
- Pleuger pioneers the submersible turbine pump motor
- Stenberg and Flygt commence their cooperation
1930
- René Moineau receives a doctorate for his thesis which will lead to the invention of the progressing cavity pump
- Reda Pump Company founded
1932
- PCM founded
- Sarlin Pumps founded; Bran+Luebbe founded
1933
- Bush pump invented
- Gormann-Rupp established
1936
- Robbins & Myers acquires North American license for the Moineau progressing cavity pump
- Mono Pumps Ltd formed to manufacture and distribute Moineau’s pump design in the UK
1938
- Ebsray and Warman International founded
1940
- Grindex founded
1944
- Franklin Electric founded1945
- Grundfos Pumps, Caprari and Flexibox founded
1946
- Cornell Pumps, Klaus Union, Totton Pumps founded
1947
- HMD Seal/Less Pumps established
- Hyundai founded
1948
- Abel Pumps launched
- Mast Pumpen founded
- Stenberg Flygt AB designs the first submersible drainage pump
1952
- Lewa and Rovatti founded
1953
- Nikkiso established
1956
- Flygt introduces the submersible sewage pump
- Watson-Marlow founded in Marlow, UK, to exploit the peristaltic pumping principle
1957
- Richter Chemie-Technik founded
- Centrilift founded
1958
- Heishin Works becomes Heishin Pump Works Co Ltd
- SSP Pumps founded
1959
- ABS and Calpeda founded
1960
- David Brown Pumps division formed
1961
- Ingersoll-Rand acquires the Aldrich Pump Company
- Pulsometer Engineering joins the Booker McConnel Group, which had already acquired Sigmund Pumps
1966
- Crisafulli Pump Company founded
- ITT acquires Jabsco
1968
- Johnson Pump International founded
- ITT Corporation acquires Flygt
1969
- Weir acquires Harland Engineering; Worthington acquires Worthington-Simpson
- Mouvex launches the first seal-less rotary pump not based on magnets
1970
- Allis Chalmers Mfg. Co. designs and builds the first world’s largest high head centrifugal pump
1971
- SIHI takes over Halberg
- Seepex Seeberger founded
1976
- Worthington acquires Sier-Bath Pump Division from Gilbarco
1977
- Ingersoll-Rand buys Western Land Roller Irrigation Pumps
- Sterling Fluid Systems (TBG) buys Peerless Pump
1978
- Thompsons acquires the pump manufacturing operations of Kelly & Lewis to form Thompsons, Kelly & Lewis
1979
- Totton Pumps bought by Wolseley plc
- SPP acquires Godiva Fire Pumps
- Geosource acquires Wheatly
1981
- Red Jacket and Hydromatic merge to form Marley Pump
- Sterling Fluid Systems takes a half share in SIHI
1984
- SIHI buys the canned motor programme of Bran+Luebbe
- Moorco International acquires Wheatly
1985
- Dresser Industries acquires Worthington Pumps
- KSB acquires Pompes Guinard
- Scanpump acquires Pumpex
- SIHI buys the pump programme of MAN
- Pentair acquires FE Myers
- Goulds Pumps acquires Lowara
- SPP acquires Henry Sykes plc
- Goulds Pumps acquires Gaso Pump and Burner Manufacturing Company
1987
- Bedford Pumps launched
- BW/IP formed by management buy-out of Borg-Warner’s Industrial Products subsidiary
- Weir buys Mather and Platt Machinery
- SIHI France buys Schabaver
- Dresser acquires Pleuger Pumps
1988
- Idex Corporation founded
- Weir buys the large pumps business of WH Allen & Gwynnes from NEI
- BW/IP acquires United Centrifugal Pumps
- Braithwaite acquires SPP and sells off Godiva Fire Pumps
1989
- Scanpump acquires ABS
- TBG acquires SPP Ltd as part of Sterling Fluid Systems
- Dresser Industries acquires Mono Pumps Ltd
- Watson-Marlow bought by Spirax-Sarco
- Formed as Wheatley Pump and Valve, the company acquires Gaso Inc from Goulds Pumps Inc, forming Wheatley Gaso Inc
1991
- Idex acquires Corken;
- Baker Hughes acquires Geho
1992
- Ingersoll-Rand and Dresser Industries merge their pump businesses to form Ingersoll Dresser Pumps (IDP)
- Warman acquires Girdlestone Pumps
- Idex acquires Pulsafeeder and Johnson Pump (UK) Ltd
1993
- United Dominion acquires Marley Pump
- Vogel acquires Ochsner
- Sterling Fluid Systems acquires LaBour
1994
Pumps India magazine started
- Weir acquires EnviroTech Pumpsys tems
- Warman acquires Barrett Haentjens
- Idex acquires Hale Products
- Goulds acquires Vogel
- ITT buys Richter Chemie-Technik
- Sundstrand acquires HMD Seal/less Pumps
- General Electric enters pump business by acquiring Nuovo Pignone (Italy)
- Dresser Industries acquire Wheatly Gaso Inc
1995
- Idex acquires Micropump
1996
- BW/IP acquires Stork Pumps’ engineered pumps business
- Durco and BW/IP merge to form Flowserve Corp
- ITT Industries acquires Goulds
- Idex acquires Blagdon Pumps
- Textron acquires Maag Pump Systems
- Spirax-Sarco acquires Bredel
- Pentair acquires General Signal’s Pump Group
- Constellation Capital acquires Imo
- David Brown acquires Union Pump Company
- Constellation Capital buys Allweiler
- Glynwed acquires Friatec
- Sundstrand acquires Ansimag and Masco
- Weir buys Schabaver
1997
- Blackmer acquires Mouvex
1999
- Hayward Tyler acquires APV Industrial Pumps
- Ebara acquires Cryostar cryogenic pumps
- Weir Group acquires Warman International (including Girdle stone Pumps)
- Halliburton acquires Wheatly Gaso Inc
- 2000
- Sulzer acquires Ahlstrom Pumps
- National Oilwell acquires Wheatly Gaso Inc
2001
- Lightnin (of SPX) acquires Plenty Group
- Idex acquires Versa-Matic
2003
- Wilo acquires EMU
- Kirloskar acquires SPP Pumps
2004
- Flowserve acquire Thompsons, Kelly & Lewis
- Dover Resources acquire Almatec
2005
- Wilo acquires majority holding in Mather & Platt Pumps and Fire Systems (India)
- Grundfos acquires Brisan Turbo (South Africa)
2006
- SPX acquires Johnson Pump
- Franklin Electric acquires Little Giant Pump
- South Bank UK acquires Hayward Tyler Group
- Sulzer Pumps sells Paco to Grundfos
2007
- Clyde Pumps (part of Clyde Blowers) acquires Weir Pumps
- SPX acquires APV
- Grundfos acquires Peerless Pump
- Wilden Pump acquires Griswold Pump
- Franklin Electric acquires Monarch Industries pump division (USA)
2008
- Weir Group acquires CH Warman Pump Group
- Clyde Blowers acquires Textron Fluid and Power division (including Maag Pump Systems and Union Pumps)
- IDEX acquires Richter Chemie-Technik.
Present & Future Trends
- Digitalization: Smart pumps with IoT, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven monitoring.
- Sustainability: Pumps designed for energy efficiency, solar-powered pumping, and reduced carbon footprint.
- Special industries: Cryogenic pumps for LNG, biomedical micropumps, and ultra-high-pressure pumps for desalination.
- Additive manufacturing (3D printing): Allowing custom impellers and lightweight, high-performance designs.
- Emerging economies (India, China, Africa): Driving huge demand in water supply, irrigation, and infrastructure.