The roots of Carlyle Compressor run deep into the beginnings of the refrigeration and air conditioning industries.
Originally formed by Dr. Willis H. Carrier and J. Irvine Lyle, to be the “compressor arm” of Carrier Engineering Company, its inventions and achievements in technology are reflected in most of the products and services now taken for granted by modern society.
The name “Carlyle” was derived from a combination of the last names of Dr. Carrier and his partner, Mr. Lyle. Foresight and strategic planning have been Carlyle’s benchmarks, always a gracious acknowledgment of its proud past.
The company’s engineering contributions have impacted all of the known compressor designs, including centrifugal, reciprocating (open drive, semi-hermetic, and hermetic), and screw technologies.
The company’s major innovations and refinements are well documented and have resulted in the industry’s most advanced product offerings.

1900 - 1910

  • Dr. Willis H. Carrier "founded" air conditioning with the first installation in Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Printing Co., Brooklyn, NY.
  • Carrier Air Conditioning formed as a subsidiary of the Buffalo Forge Co.
  • Carrier Engineering Corporation is formed as an independent venture by Willis H. Carrier, J. Irvine Lyle and five associates. The combination of the two names, "Car-" and "Lyle" would later become Carlyle, the Compressor Company.

1920 - 1929

  • Dr. Willis H. Carrier invents the Centrifugal Refrigerating Machine.
  • Dr. Willis H. Carrier invents a new refrigerant, "Dielene," to support rapidly advancing compressor technology.
  • First application of residential air conditioning utilizes a Carrier compressor.
  • "Manufactured weather" enters into transportation beginning with trains, followed by trolleys, then airplanes.

1930 - 1939

  • A Carrier compressor is at the heart of the world’s first room air conditioner, providing equipment in a "package" which could be moved if required.
  • The Carrier-Brunswick 7 Series compressors are introduced. First the 7F, an eccentric drive compressor covering ranges from 1/4 to 3 HP. Shortly after that, the 7G and 7H type covering 7-1/2, 15 and 50 HP ranges. These compressors used a crankshaft drive, which enabled them to be run at a higher speed.
  • Carrier Air Conditioning Company moves to Syracuse, NY. Company officials vow to make the city the "Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Capital of the World!"
  • 7J, 7K, and 7L compressors are introduced, representing capacity sizes from 1/4 to 7-1/2 HP.

1940 – 1949

  • 5F40 compressors and condensing units are introduced. The compressors were the first "high speed" open drives, permitting operation to 1750 RPM.
  • Move to spacious Thompson Road facility, permitting expansion required for burgeoning compressor business.
  • The invention of the Absorption Machine, using lithium bromide, is announced. (Patents actually filed in 1946.) By using steam for air conditioning, the development was an answer to a long-existing need, by providing a balance in steam loads for summer cooling and winter heating.

1950 - 1959

  • 5J40/5J60 open drive compressors (100-150 HP) introduced in direct or belt-driven models. Designed for use with a variety of refrigerants, their flexibility of use is an outstanding feature.
  • 06D semi-hermetic compressor introduced, featuring bypass unloading for improved capacity control.

1960 - 1969

  • 06E semi-hermetic introduced with suction pressure-actuated unloading, an industry first. The revolutionary compressor features patented oil return and oil equalization system that is still employed today.
  • The combination of Willis Carrier and Irvine Lyle's names officially becomes "Carlyle."

1970 - 1979

  • 05G compressor introduced, used in transport refrigeration applications.

1980 - 1989

  • 05K compressor introduced, used in transport refrigeration applications.

1990 - 1999

  • Carlyle announces it will manufacture screw compressors in Syracuse.
  • Semi-hermetic 23XL screw compressors launched.
  • Carrier commits to multi-million-dollar investment in Syracuse compressor facilities, both new screw and existing reciprocating plants. Carlyle launches semi-hermetic and open-drive geared twin screw compressors.
  • Carlyle's model 06N geared twin screw compressor, the first compressor designed and optimized specifically for use with the chlorine-free refrigerant, HFC-134a.

2000 - 2009

  • Carlyle produces 25,000th screw compressor, and announces acquisition of Our Way Inc.
  • Carlyle announces opening of Compressor Re-manufacturing Division in Stone Mountain, GA.
  • Carlyle launches the Paragon screw compressors.
  • Carlyle Stone Mountain is awarded Industry Week’s Top 10 Best Plant award in North America.

2010 – 2019

  • Carlyle produces 5 millionth compressor.
  • SMART Unloading compressors introduced.
  • Carlyle releases the 06M Reciprocating compressor with R-410A.
  • Carlyle releases the 06M reciprocating compressor for subcritical CO2 applications.
  • Carlyle releases the 06Z variable speed screw compressor for R134a, R513A, and R1234ze chiller applications.
  • Carlyle releases the 5H open-drive reciprocating compressor for ammonia applications.

2020 – Today

  • Carlyle updates the CARWIN compressor rating tools to a web-based application.
  • Carlyle releases the 06V two-stage reciprocating compressor for transcritical CO2 applications.
  • Carlyle produces its 200,000th screw compressor.
  • Carlyle releases the 05G open-drive reciprocating compressor for HFO applications.