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East Town in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
 

Automatic Temperature Control System

1895

— Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark —

 
 
Automatic Temperature Control System Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 5, 2010
1. Automatic Temperature Control System Marker
Inscription.
Warren S. Johnson (1847-1911) built and patented the first multi-zone temperature control system that could be economically manufactured, installed and maintained. The Johnson Controls pneumatic temperature control system, represented by artifacts on display in this building, became the standard for commercial and public buildings throughout North America and helped launch the modern building controls industry.
 
Erected 2008 by The American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & CommerceMan-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the ASME Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmarks series list.
 
Location. 43° 2.25′ N, 87° 54.296′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in East Town. It is at the intersection of Michigan Street (U.S. 18) and Jefferson Street, on the right when traveling east on Michigan Street. Marker is on the Johnson Controls Building Efficiency Headquarters building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 507 East Michigan Street, Milwaukee WI 53201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Federal Building - U.S. Courthouse (about 400 feet away, measured in
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a direct line); Historic Milwaukee (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Historic Milwaukee (about 600 feet away); Northwestern National Insurance Company (about 600 feet away); Blessed Virgin of Pompeii Church (about 800 feet away); a different marker also named Historic Milwaukee (approx. 0.2 miles away); Otto Kuehn Leaf Tobacco Warehouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); O.C. Hansen Glove and Mitten Mfg. Co. (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.
 
Also see . . .
1. History of Johnson Controls. (Submitted on December 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Johnson Controls. (Submitted on December 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
 
Additional commentary.
1. Lobby Display
During business hours, you can enter the lobby to view a display of artifacts associated with Warren Johnson's automatic temperate control system. You will not need to sign in, since the display is outside of their security area. The display is very attractive and
Johnson Controls Building Efficiency Headquarters image. Click for full size.
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 5, 2010
2. Johnson Controls Building Efficiency Headquarters
informative.
    — Submitted July 21, 2019, by Thomas Fehring of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 895 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on December 2, 2010, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
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Jun. 9, 2026