In 1913, a small factory in the city of Ingersoll was constructed for the production of a soap called “Fun to Wash.” While “Fun to Wash” sadly had a very short life, the factory was converted to the making of brooms, and in 1914 it was purchased by E.A. Wilson, who used the facility in forming Ingersoll Machine & Tool in 1915.

Ingersoll Machine & Tool specialized in the manufacture of steering gear assembles for cars and boats – including car starters, steering gears, milimetre shells, truck axle parts, house trailer parts and machine parts. Ingersoll Machine & Tool established a major presence within the automotive industry, and by the early 1930s, Ingersoll Machine & Tool made every steering gear assembly for Canadian-built Ford, Mercury, Dodge, Chrysler, DeSoto, Plymouth, Hudson, and Nash cars.

The next several decades saw major growth and expansion of the company’s ventures, and Ingersoll Machine & Tool became publicly owned in 1947 with a listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange. By the early 1970s, Ingersoll Machine & Tool had branched out into the production of washing machines and even hover crafts.