Whelen Engineering began in 1952 when George W. Whelen developed a rotating aircraft "anti-collision beacon." This original concept was expanded to create a magnetic mounted beacon used by police, public safety, fire departments, and, to convert hearses to ambulance service! In 1963 Whelen began researching strobe light technology in order to introduce affordable, reliable and highly effective strobe products to the light aircraft industry and then to the automotive market.