With roots traceable to 1823, Fairbanks, Morse & Co. entered the gas engine business in 1893. Despite the fact that Otto and several other concerns were already building engines, Fairbanks-Morse swamped their competitors in short order and went on to become one of the world’s largest engine builders. Fairbanks-Morse superiority continues today with an extensive line of diesel engines and electric generators. In 1880, Morse became the sole agent for the Eclipse Wind Engine Company of Beloit, Wisconsin. Through the Eclipse line, Fairbanks-Morse quickly became a major supplier of windmills to railroads as well as farmers. During the late 1880s, Morse acquired control of Williams Engine Works of Beloit, thus putting the company into the steam engine business. Plant expansion was nearly constant at Beloit during these years, and when Morse persuaded James A. Charter to head up a new gas engine department in 1893 the facilities were ready and waiting.