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120 Years of Innovation from 1906 to 2026

The History of Leviton

For more than a century, Leviton has evolved from a small New York tin smithing shop into a global leader in electrical, lighting, and network solutions.

Founded in 1906 with a single product, the company’s innovations—from the screw-in lampholder to today’s smart and energy-efficient technologies—continue to shape how people live and work.

1900s-1920s

Foundations of a New Electrical Era

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1906

Leviton is founded by Evser and Isidor Leviton in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, producing brass mantle tips for gas lighting.

From that one electrical device, Leviton has paved the way for generations of people around the world to live and work with greater ease and security.

1910

The screw-in lampholder is created by Isidor Leviton for the newly invented electric light bulb, later installed across Manhattan.

1920s

Growth & Expansion: Headquarters move to Williamsburg (1916) and then to Greenpoint, Brooklyn (1922).

Early product expansion into wall outlets and switches; more than 550 electrical devices in the catalog by decade’s end.

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1930s-1950s

Innovation on the National Stage

1936

New Greenpoint manufacturing plant enables production of pull chains.

1937

Acquisition of American Insulated Wire, adding wire, cable, and cord products.

1940s

Landmark installations: Empire State Building & World’s Fair sites showcase Leviton products.

WWII contributions: Manufacturing materials for the Allied war effort, including bead-chain for GI dog tags.

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1960s-1970s

Innovation, Safety, and the Rise of the Connected Home

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1960-1963

Solid-state circuitry ushers in Leviton’s GFCIs and early dimmer products.

New manufacturing facilities open in North Carolina and Rhode Island.

1965

Leadership shifts: Harold Leviton becomes CEO and president.

1972

Introduction of the GFCI, revolutionizing electrical safety.

1973

Leviton headquarters move to Little Neck, Queens.

Decora® designer line launches, becoming an industry benchmark for modern rocker switches, and outlets.

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1960s-1970s

Digital Transformation & Global Reach

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Late 1980s

Surge protection and early data connectivity solutions introduced as personal computing and office networking accelerate.

1990s

Acquisition of Macro Electronics Corporation and NSI Corporation fuels the expansion into the architectural and theatrical lighting systems markets.

Connected Home technologies expand, with residential networking and structured wiring bringing data to everyday living spaces.

2007

Leadership transition after Harold Leviton’s passing; Donald Hendler becomes CEO.

2009

Leviton headquarters move to Melville, Long Island.

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2010-2020

High-Speed Data, Acquisitions & EV Innovation

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2012

Acquisition of Home Automation, Inc., expanding smart home offerings.

2015

Acquisition of Brand Rex, expanding global cabling business.

2017

New data center factory opens in Scotland, serving EMEA.

2018

Category-defining innovations: Category 8 solutions and high-density fiber platforms is introduced.

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2020-Present

Smart, Sustainable and Future Ready

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Continued leadership in EV charging, network infrastructure, lighting control, and energy management solutions.


Ongoing commitment to sustainability, global expansion, and next generation smart home innovation.


Our CN2030 initiative sets milestones to hit carbon neutrality by 2030. Learn more about our path here.

Carbon Neutral by 2030
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