In 1852, the burgeoning use of steam power led Edward Ashcroft to produce his first revolutionary "Bourdon tube" pressure gauge. With the growing need for more accurate and reliable instrumentation, Ashcroft gauges soon became a staple on board steam ships, railroad locomotives and in industries throughout North America. Now 160 years later, Ashcroft Inc. produces a complete line of state-of-the-art electronic and modern mechanical instruments under the Ashcroft, Heise, Weksler and Willy brands. An international network of manufacturing, assembly and distribution operations have extended the availability of Ashcroft products to nearly every corner of the globe.