TRW Inc.

TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, primarily aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including semiconductor technology, automotive safety systems, and many forms of rocketry.

History

TRW Inc. was founded in 1901 as the Cleveland Cap Screw Company. The company initially produced cap screws, but quickly expanded its product line to include other types of fasteners and automotive parts. In 1958, the company changed its name to TRW Inc. to reflect its diversified business interests.

Aerospace and Defense

TRW Inc. was a major player in the aerospace and defense industries. The company was involved in numerous space and defense projects, including the development of the Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 spacecrafts, the Voyager missions, and the Galileo orbiter. TRW Inc. also developed the Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of NASA's Great Observatories.

Automotive

In the automotive industry, TRW Inc. was known for its innovation in safety systems. The company developed a variety of products, including airbag systems, seat belts, brake systems, and steering systems. TRW Inc.'s automotive division was eventually spun off into a separate company, TRW Automotive, which continues to be a leading supplier of automotive safety systems.

Credit Reporting

TRW Inc. was also involved in the credit reporting industry. The company's credit reporting division, Experian, was one of the three major credit reporting agencies in the United States. In 1996, TRW Inc. sold Experian to Great Universal Stores.

Legacy

In 2002, TRW Inc. was acquired by Northrop Grumman, a global aerospace and defense technology company. Today, the legacy of TRW Inc. lives on in the many technologies and systems it developed, as well as in the companies that have grown out of its various divisions.