Early History
A pair of brothers surnamed Van Norman were the founders of the company. Their names were Charles E. and Fred D. Van Norman. The Van Normans began their company as the Hopkins Watch Tool Company in Waltham, Massachusetts around 1874. Their first products were watch repair lathes and associated tooling. In 1883, they bought the name Waltham Watch Tool Company, as that company started watch production under the name of U.S. Watch Co. It was at that time that the move was made to Springfield.
In 1890 the first Van Norman Milling Machine was built, and in 1914 the first of Van Norman's oscillating grinding machines was introduced. Oscillating grinders were sold to many of the world's leading manufacturers of ball and roller bearings.
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