Raytheon was founded in 1922 and began specializing in the production of vacuum tubes and other electronic devices. ‘Raytheon’ is Greek for ‘god of life’. Raytheon chose this name for its modern sound.
In 1940 Raytheon began defense contracting for the British and US Governments manufacturing the top secret Magnetron, a microwave radar tube. By 1944 virtually every US Navy Ship was equipped with a Raytheon Radar.
Raytheon continued defense contracting during the Korean War and in 1956 sold its radio and television divisions to the Admiral Corporation. There is obviously more money to be made in missiles than in pocket transistor radios!
Today Raytheon is the third largest defense contractor in the USA.
