Trane Technologies announced that Reuben Trane will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) as a member of the 2026 class. According to the company, this honor recognizes Trane’s legacy as an engineer whose vision and technological breakthroughs in heating, air conditioning and climate control transformed modern living, working and built environments. 

Reuben Trane co-founded The Trane Company in 1913 with his father, James, and sister, Stella in La Crosse, Wisconsin. A mechanical engineer and inventor, he is credited with "advancing the HVAC industry through innovations such as the 1926 convector radiator, the coil which revolutionized building heating. "

Under his leadership, The Trane Company grew from a small family business into a global leader in sustainable climate solutions. His commitment to ingenuity, engineering excellence, and high-quality design continues today and shapes the culture and mission of Trane Technologies. 

“Reuben Trane was ahead of his time—a visionary whose innovations have improved the comfort, health, and productivity of millions,” said Mauro Atalla, senior vice president and chief technology and Sustainability Officer, Trane Technologies. “His induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame honors his pioneering contributions, which continue to influence who we are as a company. We proudly build on his legacy every day as we create bold solutions for a sustainable future.” 

Reuben Trane will be formally inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame on May 7, 2026. His great-great-grandson, Reuben Trane IV, a current Trane Technologies HVAC systems development engineer, will accept the honor on his behalf. 

This recognition places Trane among a group of inventors whose contributions have "advanced industries, strengthened global infrastructure, and significantly enhanced quality of life worldwide." Among this group is Frederick McKinley Jones, who was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007. Jones invented the first portable air-cooling unit for trucks in 1938 and cofounded Thermo King two years later., which is now part of Trane Technologies.