Universal Instrument traces its roots to the Universal Instruments and Metal Company, a safety pin manufacturer founded in 1919. Through time, the company discontinued safety pin production and made a transition to a machining and tool and die business. By controlling costs during the Great Depression, Universal continued to grow through World War II, when the company's tool and die talents were pressed to meet the needs of the state's small arms manufacturers.

我们万能工具公司起源于万能工具和金属公司，1919年成立时，我们只是个安全别针的生产商。随着时间的推移，公司停止生产安全别针，转而经营机械加工、工具和铸件业务。在大萧条时期，由于我们控制成本好，二战期间，公司继续增长。当时公司的工具和铸件人才非常紧张，忙于满足国家小型武器生产商的需求。