The Vornado story begins with an inventor’s vision to improve aircraft design in the early 1920’s. Ralph K. Odor began to experiment with unique aerodynamics that increased the efficiency and performance of standard propeller planes. After many patents and highly successful prototypes, Ralph realized that his findings could change the inefficient electric fan designs that dominated the industry at the time. Ralph met O.A. Sutton, an entrepreneur from Wichita, Kansas and refined his concept for a new “air circulator.” Initial plans to build the new “Vornado” fans were delayed by the complete focus of manufacturing resources needed to support World War II.