Ready for a little history lesson? We promise, it’s a good one. Over 85 years ago, our original chemists, Frederick Franklin and T. Edward Aldham, invented an easily replaceable oil filtering element at their laboratory in Providence, Rhode Island. Automotive oil filters of various types had been on the market for nearly 10 years, yet were difficult to install, change and clean. So, Franklin and Aldham, whose last names were combined to form the company name, set out to solve these problems with their revolutionary filters. See how we’ve evolved since then.

2021

FRAM DRIVE™ Oil and Engine Air Filters are introduced to deliver engine protection and optimal efficiency for everyday drivers.

FRAM expands its cabin air filter offering with FRAM TrueAir™, a premium option featuring N95 grade filter media to capture 95% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

FRAM launches “For the Road Ahead” advertising campaign to highlight the brand's heritage and reliability that have been trusted since 1934, as well as a dedication to continual technological innovation.

2020

With the introduction of FRAM Titanium™ and FRAM Force™ , the brand continues to showcase the innovation of the evolving FRAM Engineering approach to new product development.

2019

FRAM introduces new Oil Filter and FRAM FreshBreeze® packaging for better visibility of product features and benefits.

2017

FRAM re-engineers its Tough Guard Oil Filter to provide premium protection to vehicles with high mileage or facing demanding conditions.

FRAM launches a new Advertising Campaign with the Tag line: “Filter out the Nonsense.”

2012

FRAM releases a new oil filter designed specifically for synthetic oil: the FRAM Ultra Synthetic® oil filter.

2005

Continuing the momentum of the Tough Guard® oil filter product line, FRAM releases its new Tough Guard engine air filter.

2004

FRAM releases two more oil filter products, both designed to meet the unique needs of 21st century motorists.

The second innovation in oil filter design is announced: the FRAM High Mileage® oil filter.

2002

FRAM launches the SureDRAIN® oil change system.

2000

Once again, FRAM asserts itself as an industry-leading brand with the introduction of its Xtended Guard® product line, an oil filter designed for use with synthetic oils and extended oil change intervals.

1999

FRAM officially patents its industry-renowned SureGRIP® process, an unparalleled design for oil filters.

1998

With the addition of a new fiber to the extra-life dual-phase media called triad, FRAM raises the dirt-trapping standard by 48%.

1997

FRAM releases the Tough Guard oil filter, a product designed to handle the effects of severe driving conditions; it moves the SPE to a new high of 98%.

1996

FRAM develops a new way of delivering oil additives with its Double Guard® product. This innovative filter has additive suspended in the media that is released as the oil flows through.

1994

FRAM filtration becomes original equipment on 40% of U.S. heavy duty diesel engines built.

1991

FRAM releases its Extra Guard® product, which features glass media filter technology.

1990

FRAM introduces single-stage, full-flow bypass filters for diesel.

1986

FRAM releases Wearguard® oil filters with glass media filter technology.

1978

The first air filter to use two integral filtering elements, the FRAM Extra Life® air filter lasts 50% longer and stops 50% more dirt.

The Greenville, Ohio, plant expands a second time.

1975

FRAM opens the first plant devoted exclusively to the development and manufacture of heavy duty air filters and cartridges, in Nevada, Missouri.

1974

FRAM becomes the first filter manufacturer to provide complete in-house oil analysis service, performed by its engineering staff.

1973

FRAM opens the filter industry’s largest and most complete filtration engineering and research facility, in East Providence, Rhode Island.

1971

FRAM debuts its iconic slogan, “You can pay me now, or pay me later.”

1969

FRAM introduces a full line of fuel filter/water separators with UL listing to solve a major engine problem for marine applications.

1968

Production of high-performance filters for racing engines begins.

1957

FRAM introduces the first spin-on fuel filters for trucks: the P1101PL.

1956

FRAM engineers develop a new type of oil filter that combines the cartridge and housing in one unit. As a result, the filters can be installed faster than any previous oil filter.

1954

Production of the new pleated-type cartridge begins.

1953

Vintage FRAM advertisement.

1952

FRAM introduces an aftermarket version of the OE air filter for the 1952 Studebaker.

FRAM publishes installation manuals for bypass filters being manufactured for trucks and farm equipment.

1951

The FRAM dry-type replaceable air filter is the first selected as original equipment on a U.S. passenger car, the 1952 Studebaker. FRAM also introduces the first dry-type carburetor air filter, which replaces the oil-bath type filter.

FRAM creates an installation manual for bypass filters on trucks.

Production begins at the Greenville, Ohio, plant with 13 female production workers.

1950

FRAM introduces new items such as carburetor air filters, crankcase ventilators and gasoline filters, as well as water filters for cars, trucks and buses.

1949

FRAM completes the world’s first “engineering research dust tunnel” as an aide in air filter development.

FRAM Lubri-Graf® is made available to fleet operators for control of oil filter cartridge change intervals.

1945

FRAM Corporation is awarded an Army-Navy “E,” making it the only exclusive manufacturer for filter development.

1942

The first FRAM advertising slogan, “The Dipstick Tells the Story,” appears in the FRAM Corporation catalog.

FRAM introduces the Filcron® oil filter, the first to combine depth and surface filtration for high efficiency.

1939

The corporation builds its first branch plant in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

1938

FRAM introduces the F40 oil filter for super heavy duty use in the largest trucks and some diesels.

Cadillac, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Graham join Studebaker as original equipment users of FRAM oil filters.

1937

FRAM introduces its second filter model, the F2, the first FRAM oil filter design specifically for large trucks, tractors and diesels.

1936

FRAM filters become original equipment on the 1936 Studebaker.

FRAM introduces the F4, the first FRAM oil filter with single-bolt cover-seal construction.

1934

FRAM incorporates; average production is 10 filters per working day.

1932

FRAM is born when the original chemists, Frederick Franklin and T. Edward Aldham, invent an easily replaceable oil filtering element in their Providence, Rhode Island, laboratory. The name FRAM is coined from the first two letters of FRanklin and the last two letters of AldhAM.

FRAM begins hand assembly of oil filters and introduces the first FRAM oil filter, the F1, with an easily replaceable cartridge.