Foster Cup c.1854 International Library of Technology, 1902.   Asheville, NC – March 8, 2011–America’s first Instrumentation Company, Palmer Wahl Instrumentation Group is proud to celebrate 175 years of manufacturing industrial instrumentation in 2011.  Originally founded in Cincinnati Ohio in 1836 by James Foster, Jr., Palmer Wahl has been a consistent innovator since the 18th century, developing the first thermometer made in America - the Foster Cup - in 1852.  The introduction of kerosene to the market in the 1850s led to the decline of candle use, but brought with it a host of dangers, as its volatility caused many deaths.  The need to improve kerosene safety led Foster, Jr. to develop the “Foster Automatic Oil Tester,” a closed cup design instrument known for being the first thermometer manufactured in the United States.  As the most accurate instrument available, the Foster Cup became the standard for inspection of oil and petroleum products in Ohio, Michigan, and other states.

Palmer Wahl lays claim to a host of other industry firsts, including the first red reading mercury thermometer (1929), the first and only NIST traceable miniature temperature recording labels (1960), FM approved portable digital infrared technology (1967), portable digital platinum RTD meters with interchangeable probes (1977), replaceable element bimetal thermometers (1993), self-checking digital platinum RTD meter (2006), and many others.  Designed to replace mercury-in-glass thermometers with unmatched accuracy and reliability, the patent pending Wahl DST600 digital thermometer was named Process Magazine’s 2008 Breakthrough Product of the Year.   Located in Asheville, NC, Palmer Wahl is ISO 9001:2008 certified, offering a wide range of temperature and pressure technologies under one roof - from traditional mercury-in-glass thermometers, to sophisticated thermal imaging technology.  Owned and operated by the Santangelo family since 1971, Palmer Wahl’s industrial temperature and pressure instrumentation is used by industry around the world, including the Space Program, Proctor & Gamble, Anheuser Busch, and the US Army, Navy, and Air Force.

  Looking ahead, Palmer Wahl is planning exciting new products for the market in 2011.  Second generation company President Stephen Santangelo said, “We thank our customers who have relied on us to provide accurate and reliable products over the years.”