The Pressure Cooker Giant Behind Presto

National Presto Industries actually began as a heavy-duty steel works in 1905. It only pivoted to kitchen appliances after finding huge success with its specialized commercial pressure canners.

Before they became a household name for small kitchen gadgets, the company focused on industrial-grade metalwork. Their transformation into a culinary icon started when they adapted their pressure technology for home kitchens in the late 1920s. By 1939, they started expanding into the diverse range of countertop appliances we recognize today. It is a classic example of how a manufacturing firm can evolve into a global consumer brand through clever innovation.