Pratt & Whitney

( Bob MacDonnell | Hartford Courant / February 21, 2008 )

Pratt & Whitney was founded in 1925 in Hartford by Frederick Rentschler, according to the company's web site, manufacturing aircraft engines. The company has since branched into gas turbines and has been an key engine provider of the U.S. space program since it's inception.

CAPTION: Kevin Kearns, a mechanic and assembler, installs fan blades into a GP 7000 engine for an Airbus A380 aircraft at the Pratt and Whitney Middletown plant. The company employs about 2500 people at their Middletown plant.