Ruud® has walked the walk of a hardworking, pioneering brand since its earliest days in the late 1800s.

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Our fearless approach to innovation began with a Norwegian taking the risk of a lifetime when Edwin Ruud embarked on his journey to America to work as a mechanical engineer. While employed, he pioneered the first automatic storage water heater, highlighting his unrivaled grit and determination. This revolutionary device consisted of a cast iron shell, enclosing burners, and a thermostat that controlled the gas valves.

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And this was just the beginning for Ruud—both the person and the future industry-leading brand.

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Edwin left his job, bought the rights to his invention and started his own company. He continued to refine and improve his design, earning a reputation as a trailblazer in water heating products, not only for the home but for commercial and industrial applications as well.

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​His legacy and passion for innovation were so strongly rooted in the company he had built, that even after his passing in 1932, the breakthroughs continued—eventually leading to the 1950s introduction of the Ruud® brand of heating and air conditioning equipment.