Development of the PID controller

In 1939, the Taylor Instrument Companies introduced a completely redesigned version of its Fulscope pneumatic controller. In addition to proportional and reset control actions, this new instrument provided an action which the Taylor Instrument Companies called pre-act. In the same year the Foxboro Instrument Company added Hyper-reset to the proportional and reset control actions provided by their Stabilog pneumatic controller. The pre-act and Hyper-reset actions each provide a control action proportional to the derivative of the error signal. Reset provides a control action proportional to the integral of the error signal and hence both controllers offered PID control. The historical development of these controllers is discussed.<>