Celebrating A Century Of Innovation

Through economic depressions and downturns, wars, consumer trends and shifting military priorities, Textron has evolved from its roots as Special Yarns Corporation in 1923 into one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense companies.

While synthetic yarns seemingly have nothing in common with business, the thread that runs through our past 100 years is innovation. Indeed, this has been the guiding force throughout our history. We transitioned from a yarn spinning operation to manufacturing parachutes for the U.S. Army in World War II. Following the war, we pivoted to textiles and fashion for the growing consumer market. We developed the multi-industry company model, becoming known as the world’s first conglomerate. Today, we are a $12.9 billion global company with more than 34,000 makers, doers and innovators. Always at the forefront of change.

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1923

Royal Little founded Special Yarns Corp. with a bank loan of $10,000 as a yarn-spinning operation. This company would become Textron in 1944.

1930s

Textron founder Royal Little at one of his yarn-spinning manufacturing facilities.

1942

Parachute manufacturing at its textile mill in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Mid 1940s

Following World War II, Textron shifted from parachutes to products for the homefront—women’s clothing and men’s pajamas to shower curtains and tablecloths.

1950s

Textron had more than 25 textile plants in New England, the southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico.

1955

Homelite was among the first companies acquired by Textron – one of many well-known consumer brands that Textron would acquire over the next three decades.

1960

Textron’s Dalmo Victor business produced the solar panels used on the Pioneer V space probe – part of the NASA Pioneer Pioneer program.

1960

Textron adds E-Z-GO to its company.

1960

Textron acquires Bell Aircraft Corporation as it builds a future in aerospace & defense.

1960s

Textron acquired companies like Speidel and Gorham - which made consumer items like watchbands, silver products and specialty paper.

1960s

Bell Aerospace’s Agena rocket engine was used in NASA’s Gemini space program.

1967

Bell Aerospace 2-Man Rocket Belt. This is on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Musuem’s Udvar-Hazy Center.

1984

The acquisition of AVCO Corporation would transition into Textron Defense Systems, later becoming Textron Systems.

1992

With the acquisition of Cessna Aircraft Company, Textron became a leader in general aviation.

1996

The Citation X, which was known as the world’s fastest private jet, was certified and delivered in 1996.

1997

Textron acquired Kautex, a global fuel tank and system supplier to the automotive industry.

2007

The transformational Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft enters into service. The fleet consists of more than 400 aircraft accumulating more than 600,000 flight hours.

2014

Textron purchases Beechcraft Holdings, adding the iconic Beechcraft brand to the Textron family.

2017

E-Z-GO once again revolutionizes electric golf cars with its ELiTE Series of lithium golf cars – zero-maintenance batteries and increased efficiency.

2022

Textron acquires Pipistrel, an electric aircraft company, continuing its legacy of building towards the future.

For a detailed list of Textron’s milestones through the decades, visit our Company History page.