On July 13, 1937, U.S. Patent No. 2,086,607, issued to Emmet J. Culligan on a Water Softening Device:

Emmett was the original “Hey Culligan Man” the company was founded in 1936 by Emmett Culligan with financing from his brother and sister. The started in a blacksmith shop in Northbrook, Illinois. By 1938 a first Culligan franchised dealership opened in Wheaton, Illinois, and a second in Hagerstown, Maryland. In 1945, Emmett dissolved the partnership with his brothers and a new company was incorporated, with Emmett serving as president until 1950.

Today, Culligan International is a global water treatment company with a network of dealers and direct operations in 90 countries and more than 1,000 dealers, and more than 14,000 employees. All apparently inspired by a water filter made from a perforated coffee can filled with greensand that also softened the water.