Little Giant Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Little Giant Manufacturing Company, Inc. is one of the oldest continuing businesses in Orange, Texas. Founded in 1904 by the late W. E. McCorquodale, the family business, is located at the corner of South and Donnell streets. W. E. originated the business as a plumbing services company but he had other ideas that would transform the enterprise.
In 1927, W. E. McCorquodale invented and was granted a patent on the first thermostatically-controlled instantaneous gas water heater. He called the device the “Hotomatic.” Filled with heavy copper coils over an array of impinged gas jets the Hotomatic® was impressive technology at its inception. When fired, the small heater would roar, heating water to 180 degrees immediately.
The concept was new, safe and convenient. Cold water entered the Hotomatic® at the bottom, forced by local water pressure through the copper coil. Hot water flowed from the top after climbing the coil. A thermostat controlled the final exit temperature. Hot water was provided on demand when a hot water valve was opened.