EBAD inducted into American Manufacturing Hall of Fame

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense was inducted yesterday into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame in Hartford, Connecticut, recognizing its 190-year manufacturing history and its role in NASA’s Artemis II mission. The honor underscores the company’s long-running aerospace footprint as Connecticut pushes to spotlight advanced manufacturing and workforce development.

Why it matters: - EBAD’s induction recognizes a 190-year manufacturing legacy in Connecticut and its role in a major NASA mission. - The honor ties state manufacturing history to current space hardware that helped support Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years. - The recognition also spotlights Connecticut’s effort to promote advanced manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.

What happened: - Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense was inducted into the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame yesterday at the Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum in Hartford. - Lisa Brown, EBAD’s Market Segment Director for Launch Vehicles, accepted the honor for the company. - U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal presented the induction. - Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Chief Manufacturing Officer Kirti Patel attended the event.

The details: - The Hall of Fame recognized EBAD’s history in Simsbury that dates to 1836 and William Bickford’s invention of the safety fuse. - The induction also highlighted EBAD’s work as a critical supplier on NASA’s Artemis II mission. - EBAD hardware performed successfully throughout the mission. - EBAD engineered separation hardware that helped split Orion’s Crew Module from its Service Module before the astronauts’ return to Earth. - Artemis II launched April 1, 2026 and lasted nearly 10 days. - Four astronauts traveled about 1.4 million miles. - The crew reached a record 252,756 miles from Earth before returning safely. - The Connecticut Manufacturing Innovation Forum was presented by the Connecticut Office of Manufacturing and brought together manufacturers, educators and state leaders. - EBAD sponsored the event alongside RBC Bearings, Trumpf, CLA and Raymond James. - Fox61 served as media partner. - The American Manufacturing Hall of Fame was founded in 2014 to honor Connecticut’s manufacturing and innovation legacy. - The Hall of Fame says Connecticut has been a birthplace of innovation for more than 350 years, including the helicopter, the nuclear submarine and the first spacesuit worn on the Moon. - The organization’s website is americanmanufacturinghof.com.

Between the lines: - The award links EBAD’s heritage business story with one of NASA’s most visible current exploration programs. - The Artemis II reference gives the company a high-profile proof point for hardware performance in human spaceflight. - The event also served as a policy-and-industry gathering, not just a company celebration, which helps amplify the message around Connecticut manufacturing.

What’s next: - EBAD said its legacy is continuing across aerospace and defense operations in three states. - The company said it is excited about what comes next, signaling more work tied to demanding space and defense missions. - The Hall of Fame recognition may strengthen EBAD’s standing with customers, partners and state manufacturing leaders.

The bottom line: - EBAD’s Hall of Fame induction puts a 190-year-old Connecticut manufacturer in the spotlight for both historical innovation and a mission-critical role in NASA’s Artemis II flight.