Founded in 1947 by Louis J. Jenn in Indianapolis, Indiana, Jenn-Air initially manufactured industrial fans. The company revolutionized the kitchen industry in 1961 by introducing the first self-ventilated downdraft range, which integrated ventilation directly into the cooktop. Following ownership by Carrier Corp. (1979) and Maytag Corp. (1982), Whirlpool Corporation acquired the brand in 2006. In 2018, it was rebranded to "JennAir," focusing on luxury, modern appliances.