Snap-On History

Snap-on is an American designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end tools and equipment to professional tool users. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide.

Making History

Snap-on was founded as the Snap-on Wrench Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1920 by Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann. As a new socket wrench manufacturing company, the business manufactured and marketed ten sockets that would "snap on" to five interchangeable handles. After World War II, Newton Tarble was hired, and came up with the idea of developing routes for company dealers to see mechanics on a weekly basis. Eventually these salesmen became independent businessmen and authorized dealers using larger vans and trucks to carry the growing product line. Thus, creating the Snap-On we know and love today.