In 1885, Evarista Conrado Engelberg of São Paolo, Brazil, received a British patent for a rice-hulling machine. He received an American patent the following year. In 1889 the Engelberg Huller Co., of Syracuse, NY, was formed to manufacture his huller for sale in North America. The huller was quite successful, and additional patents were granted for various improvements over the years. The hullers are still in use in many parts of the world.

At some time during the twentieth century the company began to make grinders plus belt and disk sanders, all intended primarily for metalworking. At some point between 1957 and 1971 the company name changed to Engelberg, Inc. By 1971 the name hand changed again, to Sundstrand-Engelberg, Inc. of Liverpool, NY. By 1974 we see Sundstrand Syracuse, Inc. of Syracuse, NY, and Sundstrand Corp. of Rockford, IL.

There are connections between Engelberg, Porter-Cable, Sundstrand, and Acme that are not clearly understood: some products appear to be the same between brands, right down to model number.

Information Sources

• A 1948 "Syracuse Centennial Dinner" program lists Engelberg Huller Co., Inc. with a founding date of 1889.
• A 1900 obituary mentions "Engelberg Huller Co."
• There are citations of a 1982 court decision involving Engelberg Huller Co., Inc., but not related to sanders.
• Patent records provided most of the history given here.