MOLXA

Molex Inc.

A maker of the tiny electronic connectors and cable assemblies that link everything from smartphones and cars to data centers and medical devices, Molex is one of the world's largest manufacturers of electronic and fiber-optic connectivity systems. It was founded in 1938 in Illinois by Frederick Krehbiel, who invented a cheap molded plastic he named "Molex" (from "molded" plus a modern-sounding "ex") and first used it to make flowerpots, salt shakers, and clock casings before his son steered the company into electrical connectors. Today it operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries.