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The definition of a pump is a device which uses suction or pressure to raise or move liquids. Back in Egyptian times, 2000 BC, this meant a long suspended rod with a bucket at one end and a weight at the other. 1800 years later, in arguably the greatest invention of all time, Archimedes devised a mechanical method of lifting low lying water for irrigation and land drainage purposes known as the Archimedean Screw Pump. This method is still very much in use today.

Mechanical pumps require power in order to operate, in 200 BC this source of power was the human hand. Animal, wind and water turbine power sources followed, thanks to the development of mechanical power transmission linkages. Steam engines became the main power source at the end of the 18th century, whilst gas and early oil dominated the 19th century.

In 1790 Thomas Simpson coupled a reciprocating pump to James Watts rotary motion steam engine, to drive municipal water works pumps on the River Thames. This ultimately led to the formation of Worthington Simpson in 1917, which is now a part of Flowserve.

In 1851 John Gwynne filed his first centrifugal pump patent. His early pumps were again steam engine driven but used primarily for land drainage. Allen Gwynne Pumps closed their manufacturing plant within the town of Bedford in 1987, which led to the formation of Bedford Pumps by former members of the pump department at W H Allen. The first electric motor driven pumps finally emerged in the early 1900's. Whilst electric motors now dominate the pump industry, electricity cannot reach all locations and the diesel engine driven pump, with its high torque engine, still plays a significant role in today's mobile pumping market.