The Founding of WAGO
1960-1969
Ready for the Global Market
In 1961, Wolfgang Hohorst joined the company, bringing several new ideas with him. With his vision for spring pressure connection technology – better, safer, more economical – he charted a new course for the company. A watershed moment occurred in 1966 when WAGO switched from thermoset to polyamide 6.6 for rail-mount terminal block housings – a global first. In addition, PCB connectors and solderable terminal blocks with spring clamp connections joined the company’s product portfolio in the 1960s. Using spring pressure connection technology in electronic ballasts and capacitor terminal blocks helped WAGO break into the lighting industry.
Product Developments and Events from the 1960s
- 1961: Wolfgang Hohorst joins the company
- 1963: First rail-mount terminal block with 4-conductor PUSH WIRE® connection for the elevator and signal device industries
- 1964: First modular PCB terminal block with spring clamp connection
- 1965: First PCB connector with spring clamp connection
- 1966: The world’s first use of polyamide 6.6 for rail-mount terminal block housings
- 1968: First screwless pluggable terminal block for capacitors
- 1969: First screwable/pluggable terminal block for electronic ballasts
Milestones in the 1960s
1967
The Triumph of PCBs – WAGO Takes the Lead
Until 1967, there were no pluggable connectors and solderable terminal blocks with spring pressure connections for PCBs. Therefore, WAGO developed the first direct plugs for PCBs with spring pressure connection technology for solid and fine-stranded conductors from 0.2 to 1 mm⊃2. The plugs have a modular structure and are available with 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 poles. Simultaneously, WAGO introduced its first family of PCB terminal blocks with spring pressure connection technology and integrated test sockets as the 1960s ended. The modular design of the terminal blocks enables extremely cost-effective production of any number of poles. WAGO’s entry into PCB connection components was successful.
1967
Initial Experiences with PCB Components
The manufacturer for Otis elevator systems was already buying double-deck terminal blocks in bulk by 1964, and planned to introduce PCBs in 1965. For this purpose, the company sought pluggable connectors that were wired to the back of the control cabinets and allowed direct front insertion of the PCBs. A small revolution for the construction of cabinets in the elevator industry. WAGO’s design proposal was accepted immediately, and Otis became the first and largest buyer of pluggable PCB connectors. Many smaller customers followed. At the same time, Siemens Erlangen needed a PCB terminal block with spring pressure connection technology for a project because they had already had a good experience with spring pressure connection thanks to the WAGO Compact Terminal Block. The first samples of WAGO’s PCB terminal blocks, which were introduced a few weeks later, were enthusiastically received. The terminal blocks were then successfully sold to other customers.