For over 2,000 years, mankind has recognized the power of steam. In the 18th and 19th centuries, engines powered by steam gave rise to the Industrial Revolution and transformed society. Steam continues to power the world today. More than half of the world’s electricity is generated with steam. Industries of every kind rely upon steam for critical processes. And as questions grow regarding the price and supply of hydrocarbons, the role of steam in the global economy may again expand.The water tube boiler (1856) was a major innovation in terms of boiler efficiency, pressure, and safety. But boiler tubes often became fouled by minerals in the feed water. In 1895, William Swan Elliott patented a revolutionary boiler tube cleaner and formed a company to sell his invention. In 1910, Elliott Company was incorporated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1914, Elliott moved to its present location in Jeannette, Pennsylvania. Mr. Elliott quickly grew the company through acquisitions related to steam technology - heaters, lubricating systems, extractors, and separators.