Alfred M. Moen
Encyclopedia
Alfred M. Moen was an American inventor and founder of Moen, Inc.
He invented the single-handed mixing faucet.
. He graduated in 1934 from Franklin High School and was a mechanical engineering student at the University of Washington
.
, he went to work as a tool designer at a military shipyard plant in Seattle. Moen could not find a manufacturer free to start production until after the war. In 1947, he persuaded Ravenna Metal Products of Seattle to finance and produce his latest design for a single-handled mixing faucet. Moen faucets were soon included in many homes built in the United States during the post-World War II building boom.
Moen's invention led to the creation of Moen Inc., one of the nation's major producers of plumbing products. Al Moen served as head of the company's research and development
until his retirement in 1982. He personally held some 75 patents, many of which were in fields unrelated to plumbing. Al Moen was honored by being nominated for the National Inventors Hall of Fame
. Moen was named to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame in 1993.
Moen (company)
Moen is a product line of faucets and other fixtures started by inventor Alfred M. Moen that is now part of the Fortune Brands Home & Security company. The Moen division is headquartered in North Olmsted, Ohio. Moen was originally part of Ravenna Metal Products of Seattle, Washington...
He invented the single-handed mixing faucet.
Background
Al Moen was born in Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. He graduated in 1934 from Franklin High School and was a mechanical engineering student at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
.
Invention
The inspiration for Al Moen's invention came in 1937 after he turned on a two-handle faucet and burned his hands. Over the next decade, Moen made several faucet designs and improvements. With the advent of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he went to work as a tool designer at a military shipyard plant in Seattle. Moen could not find a manufacturer free to start production until after the war. In 1947, he persuaded Ravenna Metal Products of Seattle to finance and produce his latest design for a single-handled mixing faucet. Moen faucets were soon included in many homes built in the United States during the post-World War II building boom.
Moen's invention led to the creation of Moen Inc., one of the nation's major producers of plumbing products. Al Moen served as head of the company's research and development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
until his retirement in 1982. He personally held some 75 patents, many of which were in fields unrelated to plumbing. Al Moen was honored by being nominated for the National Inventors Hall of Fame
National Inventors Hall of Fame
The National Inventors Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to recognizing, honoring and encouraging invention and creativity through the administration of its programs. The Hall of Fame honors the men and women responsible for the great technological advances that make human,...
. Moen was named to the Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame in 1993.