The history of the catalytic converter dates to the end of the 19th century, when some prototypes were developed in France. In the mid-1950s Eugene Houdry, a French mechanical engineer, received a patent for his research to develop catalytic converters for gasoline engines.

Houdry’s development of the catalytic converter came from his concerns about the toll smokestack and automobile exhaust was having on air pollution. He had seen results of studies in Los Angeles and started working on converters for smokestacks.

Catalytic converters were further developed after the emissions control regulations that began in the early 1960s. The first production catalytic converter was created in 1973 at Engelhard Corporation, and widespread use of the part began around 1975.