In 1928 Ralph K. Odor, a visionary inventor, was well on track to proving that a new form of propulsion could empower aircraft to fly faster and with greater efficiency than traditional propeller planes of the era.

The plane that flew by creating “Vortex Tornadoes” would come to be known as the “Vornado Plane”.

This resourceful problem solver recognized that his powerful Vortex Tornado airflow could have a different application as he set out to build a fan with unprecedented performance. As factories returned to peace-time production, the first “Vornado” fans were produced by O.A. Sutton Mfg, in Wichita, KS and quickly earned market share in a booming economy. The first generation of Vornado whole room circulators were born.

By the mid 1950’s, Vornado had earned 35% market share in fans, with one in three fans sold being a Vornado whole room circulator. With an emerging presence in portable electric heaters and air conditioning, Vornado’s growing product line solidified its Brand reputation as a modern, year-round fixture in home comfort.

All assets including the Vornado Brand were purchased at auction by the Northeastern U.S. retailer, Two Guys. The Brand was broadly used in their retail stores across a
wide range of consumer appliances well into the 1970’s, and even as fan production ceased the Brand carried forward across multiple categories and business ventures.

In 1985, an avid fan collector and engineer realized that the Vornado Brand was available and that its legendary circulation power could be modernized and returned to the consumer market. The company moved to Andover, KS (a sub-burb of its birthplace in Wichita, KS), and the global headquarter remains there today. The iconic “spiral grill” adorned this new generation of products, providing a visual point of differentiation that Vornado’s legendary “Vortex Action” airflow (that once powered an airplane) would again play a role in year-round home comfort across multiple consumer categories.

Vornado had built a robust product assortment, offering everything you need to keep your air cool, warm, humidified and purified through the changing seasons. The brand had expanded to over 12 countries as style came to the forefront along with a promise that if the consumer was not satisfied, Vornado would make it right. The brand and the reputation continued to grow.

Today, Vornado continues to vanguard the creation of home comfort goods defined by quality, performance, design and innovation. A growing range of category-elevating products bring hands-free control, energy-saving components and scientifically-enhanced ways to clean the air into households across the globe. The technology within bridges seamlessly outward to style and versatility in each finished product, helping Vornado lead by its commitment to delivering elite consumer experiences in home comfort.