In 1878, Gustaf de Laval patented the centrifugal cream separator in 1878 and a great number of other inventions. As a result he acquired a reputation as both an inventor and industrialist and through these channels he was able to influence many other contemporary inventors.

The company of DeLaval was founded in 1883 as AB Separator by Gustaf de Laval, a descendant of 17th century French �migr�s, de Laval was born 1845 in Dalarna, Sweden.