Hall Of Fame Inductees

 

The individuals nominated should have made a significant impact or positive influence that assures the future of our industry in the lives of generations to come.

 

Once nominated, an individual’s biography and photo are updated on the site, and he or she is placed in the polls for voting. At the end of the year the committee takes into consideration the votes and decides which candidates are inducted.

 

Those with a star (*) next to their name below were either inducted posthumously or have passed away since being inducted.

 

Nomination Qualifications

  • Person with integrity and passion
  • Minimum 20 years in industry
  • Someone who has developed  or invented  new technology
  • Has made contributions that resulted in change
  • Contributed to mankind’s needs in his field
  • Provided education and encouragement  with self-sacrifice
  • Changed the industry

Edwin J. Hunter *

Edwin J. Hunter was an inventor, engineer, and business leader in the irrigation industry for nearly 50 years. His contributions to product innovation and production processes stand as a testament to his tireless work ethic, passion for engineering, and unquestionable ingenuity.

After voluntarily leaving the General Motors Institute after only one semester, Ed began his career with his brother in 1937 by inventing and marketing aluminum venetian blinds. In 1952 Ed formed a company called Moist-O-Matic, which created the world’s most advanced irrigation controllers and plastic sprinklers. In 1960, the small company developed the first mass-marketed gear-driven sprinkler. In 1962, Ed sold Moist-O-Matic to Toro and developed the Toro Irrigation Division. During his time at Toro, Ed Hunter pioneered plastic valves, valve-in-head golf course sprinklers and the stream rotor.

In 1981 Ed started a small family business with his son Paul. His son Richard and daughter Ann joined the company shortly thereafter. In a small garage-like building, the group of Hunters quickly developed and released the innovative PGP rotor, which remains a bestseller to this day. In just 30 years of business, Hunter Industries has become one of the largest manufacturers of irrigation products in the world. All products and business processes at Hunter are still built with Ed’s dedication to innovation in mind.

Ed Hunter passed away in 1998 at the age of 80. He was truly a pioneer in the irrigation industry. His name and achievements will live on for many generations to come.