Stoelting Company: A Documented History of Innovation in Psychological & Psychophysiological Instrumentation (1886–Present)
Table of Contents
Origins (1886–1903): From Chicago Lab Supply to C.H. Stoelting Co.
Stoelting began in 1886 when Christian Hans Stoelting (1865–1943), a German immigrant, founded the Chicago Laboratory Supply and Scale Company in Chicago to manufacture precision instruments for the rapidly professionalizing sciences of psychology, physiology, and anthropology. By 1903, the firm was re-named C.H. Stoelting Co., reflecting the brand it would carry into the 20th century. (National Museum of American History)
Early Leadership in American Psychology (1903–1943)
Between 1903 and 1943, Stoelting was widely regarded as the principal U.S. producer of the “material culture” of psychology—i.e., the apparatus, tests, and accessories that enabled research and teaching in labs across the country and abroad. This dominance is noted in overviews of the company’s history and in bibliographic catalogs that document Stoelting’s extensive product lines for psychology and allied fields. (Wikipedia)
World’s Fair Recognition (1904)
Stoelting records note medals awarded for Anthropometric and Psychometric apparatus at the 1904 St. Louis Universal Exposition (World’s Fair). While external primary documentation is sparse online, the company’s official history preserves this claim as part of its early reputation in measurement science. (Stoelting Co.)
Diversification by Division: Psychology, Physiology & Psychophysiology
Today, Stoelting operates multiple divisions focused on psychology/behavioral research, physiology, and psychophysiological measurement, leveraging cross-disciplinary R&D so that advances in one division spur improvements in another—a structure the company emphasizes in its own historical pages. (Stoelting Co.)
Beyond polygraphy, Stoelting is also known in assessment publishing for instruments such as the Leiter-3 and Merrill-Palmer-Revised, which underscores the breadth of its contributions to applied psychology and clinical research. (Wikipedia)
Enter Polygraphy (1930s–1960s): Channels, Standards & Field Configurations
- 1935 – Cardio-Pneumo Polygraph: Stoelting cites its first cardio-pneumo polygraph in 1935, marking its formal entry into psychophysiological detection (cardiac & respiratory channels). (Stoelting Co.)
- 1951 – “Reid” 5-Channel Polygraph: A five-channel model associated with the Reid school era, capable of recording arm movement, respiration, GSR, blood pressure, and thigh movement—a configuration referenced in polygraph training materials summarizing mid-century instrument evolution. (Scribd)
- 1958 – Deceptograph Standardization: Contemporary APA journal articles and lecture notes reference the Stoelting Deceptograph as a training/field instrument of the period; course materials specifically note 1958 as the year it was “standardized by the U.S. military.” (The standardization phrasing appears in instructional sources rather than formal DoD procurement records available online.) (APA)
- 1966 – Non-battery Galvanometer: Noted in polygraph lecture material as a reliability/field-readiness improvement. (Scribd)
Document tip: When discussing “standardization by the U.S. military,” cite both a contemporary APA journal that documents Deceptograph use and the teaching source that makes the standardization claim. This keeps the assertion transparent. (APA)
The Electronic & Modular Leap (1970s–1980s)
- 1974 – Polyscribe (World’s first fully electronic polygraph): Stoelting’s official history and multiple independent overviews concur that Polyscribe was the first fully electronic polygraph, moving beyond strictly electromechanical designs. Museum-style technical notes also highlight its modular electronics (e.g., “solid state” GSR module). (Stoelting Co.)
- 1978/1979 – Ultrascribe: Introduced a modular channel concept (typically 3–5 user-selectable channels) that let examiners tailor and upgrade configurations—a major workflow and total-cost-of-ownership shift at the time. (Stoelting’s page places release in 1978; some overviews note 1979—list both if you’re writing a timeline footnote.) (Stoelting Co.)
- 1982 – Executive Ultrascribe: A lighter, more compact form factor aimed at mobility; reported by Stoelting as a significant field improvement. (Stoelting Co.)
- 1983 – Ultrascribe II (microprocessor-controlled re-centering): Early infusion of microprocessor logic into analog charting to automate baselines/re-centering. (Stoelting Co.)
Seen in the literature: APA journal articles from the 1970s reference Deceptograph models and field setups (e.g., #22496 desk-mounted “Traveling Case” instrument, #22498B subject chair), which helps triangulate what real-world configurations looked like in that era. (Polygraph)
The Digital Era (Late 1980s–Present)
- 1988 – Computer-Aided Polygraph System (CAPS/CPS): Stoelting’s transition into computer-assisted acquisition and scoring began by the late 1980s. (Stoelting Co.)
- 1992 – Computerized Polygraph System (CPS): Full digital signal processing and software-driven workflows. (Stoelting Co.)
- CPSpro (2000s–Present): Current flagship for computerized polygraphy with multi-channel acquisition and automated scoring; shown in technical literature (e.g., a 5-channel CPSpro polygram in a 2022 peer-reviewed article). (ResearchGate)
What’s distinctive about CPS/CPSpro? Real-time digitization, configurable channel sets, embedded scoring/decision aids, and examiner-centric UI/UX—features repeatedly emphasized in industry and research write-ups. (ResearchGate)
Product & Publishing Ecosystem Beyond Polygraph
While polygraph instruments made Stoelting a fixture in forensic psychophysiology, the company also publishes and distributes major psychological assessments (e.g., Leiter-3, Merrill-Palmer-Revised) and continues to supply experimental psychology and physiology apparatus—an unusual breadth among manufacturers. (Wikipedia)
Headquarters & Continuity
Stoelting’s current headquarters is in Wood Dale, Illinois, where the company continues its “tradition of innovation” narrative and describes its cross-divisional R&D model and long-standing ties to scientific research communities. (Stoelting Co.)
Milestone Timeline (Curated & Cited)
- 1886 – Chicago Laboratory Supply & Scale Co. founded by C.H. Stoelting in Chicago. (National Museum of American History)
- 1903 – Company renamed C.H. Stoelting Co. (Radiomuseum)
- 1904 – Company history records medals at the St. Louis World’s Fair for anthropometric & psychometric apparatus. (Stoelting Co.)
- 1935 – First cardio-pneumo polygraph (Stoelting). (Stoelting Co.)
- 1951 – Reid 5-channel polygraph. (Scribd)
- 1958 – Deceptograph referenced as standardized by U.S. military in teaching sources; APA journals document contemporaneous Deceptograph use. (Scribd)
- 1966 – Non-battery-powered galvanometer innovation. (Scribd)
- 1974 – Polyscribe, first fully electronic polygraph. (Stoelting Co.)
- 1978/1979 – Ultrascribe modular system (3–5 channels). (Stoelting Co.)
- 1982 – Executive Ultrascribe (compact/portable). (Stoelting Co.)
- 1983 – Ultrascribe II with microprocessor re-centering. (Stoelting Co.)
- 1988 – Computer-Aided Polygraph System. (Stoelting Co.)
- 1992 – Computerized Polygraph System. (Stoelting Co.)
- 2000s–Present – CPSpro becomes Stoelting’s flagship computerized system; widely referenced in technical literature. (ResearchGate)
