ITT Interconnect Solutions

ITT Interconnect Solutions (ICS) is the interconnect business associated with ITT Inc. and the Cannon connector heritage. Its roots go back to 1915, when James H. Cannon founded Cannon and began developing electrical and electromechanical equipment for the emerging motion-picture industry. The company’s early work included a synchronous motor drive for coordinating a film projector with a phonograph and the M-1 connector, which was first conceived as a quick grounding connection for an electrical motor on a portable meat grinder. Adapted for sound-film equipment, the connector helped electrical cameras move freely during production and was used in equipment associated with The Jazz Singer, one of the early talking motion pictures. Cannon subsequently expanded from entertainment technology into aerospace and defense. In the 1930s it developed circular connectors for Douglas Aircraft’s DC-1, DC-2, and DC-3 aircraft. During the late 1930s and the Second World War, it moved into volume production of multi-contact connectors for aircraft manufacturers. Its AN Series became an important reference point for military connector specifications. In 1952 the company developed the D-subminiature connector, a design that later found extensive use in military and aerospace systems as well as computers and communications interfaces. Derivatives and related implementations became associated with standards and interfaces including RS-232, SCSI, and VGA. The company also developed the XLR connector during the 1950s for military communications and professional sound applications. The XL family later became widely used for analog and digital audio, and the connector’s contribution to professional audio was recognized through its induction into the TECnology Hall of Fame in 2008. Cannon’s connector portfolio also supported the United States space program, including specialized circular, fiber-optic, and microminiature products. These products were used in applications ranging from spacecraft and launch systems to space suits. The company received recognition connected with the first crewed U.S. lunar landing and later supported shuttle and International Space Station programs. ITT acquired Cannon in 1963, giving the business a place within a larger industrial group. Over time, the connector portfolio expanded into automotive and transportation products designed for high temperatures, vibration, moisture, and other harsh conditions. The business also entered medical electronics through fiber-optic microminiature connectors for diagnostic equipment and electronic prostheses, while related fiber-optic technology created opportunities in telecommunications. Acquisitions broadened the business further. In 2001, ITT Cannon purchased BIW, a producer of electrical power connectors, cables, and harnesses, including products for electric submersible pump systems used in oil-well artificial lift. In 2003, ITT Cannon acquired VEAM, whose specialized DIN-rail, multipin, bulkhead, sensor, and power connectors served transportation, military, and nuclear customers. VEAM also contributed junction-box assemblies for mass-transit systems. In 2007, ITT Cannon changed its name to ITT Interconnect Solutions, reflecting a broader portfolio and market identity rather than a single connector line. ICS is best understood as a specialized industrial business and brand platform rather than an independent publicly listed company. Its positioning centers on engineered reliability, application-specific design, and connector performance in environments where mechanical durability, signal integrity, power handling, sealing, miniaturization, or compliance with aerospace and military requirements are important. Its historical brand assets include Cannon, XLR, D-sub, and VEAM-related product families, while its contemporary scope includes connectors, cable assemblies, harnesses, junction boxes, and related interconnect solutions.

Cannon was founded in 1915 by James H. Cannon and initially worked on equipment for the motion-picture industry. Its early inventions included a synchronous motor drive for coordinating a projector with a phonograph and the M-1 connector. The M-1 was adapted from an electrical grounding application for use in sound-film equipment, helping cameras operate more freely while scenes were filmed. Cannon connectors were subsequently used in equipment associated with early talking pictures and in later entertainment applications, including Paramount’s P Series audio connectors. During the 1930s, Cannon began developing aerospace connectors, including a circular design for Douglas Aircraft’s DC-1 and later DC-2 and DC-3 aircraft. As military aviation expanded before and during the Second World War, Cannon produced multi-contact connectors at volume for aircraft manufacturers. Its AN Series became an influential military connector design. In 1952, Cannon developed the D-subminiature connector, which later became common in aerospace, military, computer, and communications equipment. The company also developed the XLR connector in the 1950s for military communications and professional audio. The XL family eventually became a widely recognized analog and digital audio interconnect standard. Cannon became involved in the U.S. space program through specialized connectors for spacecraft, launch systems, and space suits. Its products included microminiature and fiber-optic designs for demanding aerospace applications. The company received recognition for work related to the first U.S. crewed lunar landing and later supplied connectors for shuttle and International Space Station programs. ITT acquired Cannon in 1963. Under ITT ownership, the business continued supplying aerospace and defense customers while broadening into automotive, transportation, medical electronics, telecommunications, and industrial applications. Its automotive products were designed for demanding environments and were used by numerous vehicle manufacturers. Fiber-optic microminiature connectors were developed for diagnostic equipment and electronic prostheses, with related technology also supporting telecommunications applications. The business expanded through acquisitions. BIW was acquired in 2001 and contributed power connectors, cables, harnesses, and products for electric submersible pumps used in oil-well artificial lift. VEAM was acquired in 2003, adding specialized DIN-rail, multipin, bulkhead, sensor, and power connectors for transportation, military, and nuclear customers, along with junction-box assemblies for mass transit. In 2007, the ITT Cannon name was changed to ITT Interconnect Solutions. The resulting organization combined Cannon’s long connector history with broader interconnect capabilities serving multiple high-reliability markets.

• 2008

  XL connector receives audio-industry recognition

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  The XL connector was inducted into the TECnology Hall of Fame.

• 2007

  Business renamed ITT Interconnect Solutions

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  ITT Cannon adopted the ITT Interconnect Solutions name.

• 2003

  VEAM acquisition

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  ITT Cannon acquired VEAM and added specialized industrial, transportation, military, and nuclear interconnect products.

• 2001

  BIW acquisition

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  ITT Cannon purchased BIW, extending its portfolio into power connectors, cables, harnesses, and oil-well pump applications.

• 1963

  Acquired by ITT

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  ITT acquired Cannon and incorporated the connector business into its industrial operations.

• 1952

  D-subminiature connector is developed

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  Cannon invented the D-sub connector, later used across aerospace, military, computer, and communications applications.

• 1930

  Early aircraft connector work

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  Cannon developed a circular connector for Douglas Aircraft’s DC-1 and subsequent DC-2 and DC-3 platforms.

• 1915

  Cannon is founded

  [1]ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org

  James H. Cannon founded the company, which began by developing equipment and connectors for the motion-picture industry.

Industrial interconnect solutions for high-reliability, harsh-environment, aerospace, defense, transportation, energy, medical, telecommunications, and professional-audio applications.

• Motion-picture and electrical connector

  Cannon M-1 connector

  An early Cannon connector originally conceived for quick grounding of an electrical motor and later adapted for sound-film equipment. Its use helped enable electrically operated cameras to move more freely during filming and connected Cannon’s early electrical work with the development of talking-picture production.

• Military and aerospace connector

  AN Series connectors

  A multi-contact connector family developed for military aircraft applications before and during the Second World War. The series helped establish a pattern for ruggedized connectors used in aircraft and other defense equipment.

• Data and electrical connector · 1952

  D-subminiature connectors

  Invented by Cannon in 1952, the D-sub connector became a broadly used interconnect format in aerospace, military equipment, computers, and communications. Its derivatives have been associated with interfaces and standards including RS-232, SCSI, and VGA.

• Professional audio connector

  XL and XLR connectors

  Developed during the 1950s for military communications and professional recording, the XL family became a widely used solution for analog and digital audio connections. The connector family is strongly associated with professional microphones, recording equipment, and sound systems.

• Aerospace, medical, and telecommunications connector

  Fiber-optic and microminiature connectors

  Specialized compact and fiber-optic interconnects developed for space systems, medical diagnostic equipment, electronic prostheses, and telecommunications. These products address applications where small size, signal performance, and reliability are important.

• Industrial power interconnect

  BIW power connectors and harnesses

  Products added through the 2001 BIW acquisition, including electrical power connectors, cables, and harnessing. BIW was also associated with power feedthrough connectors and field-attachable connectors for electric submersible-pump power cables used in oil-well artificial-lift systems.

• Industrial and transportation connector

  VEAM interconnect systems

  Specialized DIN-rail, multipin, bulkhead, sensor, and power connectors acquired with VEAM in 2003. The portfolio serves transportation, military, nuclear, and other high-reliability applications and includes junction-box assemblies for mass transit.

• 2007

  Name change to ITT Interconnect SolutionsStrategy

  Background

  The business had expanded through aerospace, defense, transportation, energy, medical, telecommunications, and other interconnect applications.

  Action taken

  ITT Cannon changed its name to ITT Interconnect Solutions.

  Aftermath

  The new name emphasized a diversified interconnect systems business rather than only the Cannon connector brand.

  Source

• 2003

  VEAM acquisitionM&A

  Background

  VEAM supplied specialized connector products for transportation, military, nuclear, and other demanding markets.

  Action taken

  ITT Cannon acquired VEAM.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition added specialized connector families and mass-transit junction-box assemblies.

  Source

• 2001

  BIW acquisitionM&A

  Background

  The business sought to broaden its interconnect offering beyond conventional signal connectors into industrial power, cable, and harness applications.

  Action taken

  ITT Cannon purchased BIW.

  Aftermath

  BIW’s power-connectivity and electric-submersible-pump capabilities became part of the broader ITT interconnect portfolio.

  Source

• 1963

  ITT acquires CannonM&A

  Background

  Cannon had developed from a motion-picture supplier into an aerospace, defense, audio, and connector manufacturer.

  Action taken

  ITT acquired Cannon and placed its connector activities within the ITT industrial group.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition established the corporate ownership structure under which the Cannon connector heritage continued to develop.

  Source

1. 1ITT Interconnect Solutionsen.wikipedia.org