Early high-pressure water jet technology was used to mine loose mineral deposits. In 1936, the United States and the former Soviet Union began experimenting with pressurized water jets for use in mining operations.
In 1950, American Dr. Norman Franz first placed a heavy object on a water column, forcing the water through a small nozzle. This produced a brief, high-pressure jet capable of cutting soft materials like wood. He is widely considered the father of ultrahigh pressure technology. In 1972, AIton Boxboard produced the first high-pressure water jet equipment. In 1979, Dr. Mohamed Hashish invented a method of adding abrasive to conventional water jets, significantly improving their cutting capabilities. In 1983, the world's first commercial abrasive water jet cutting system was launched, making its mark in the automotive glass cutting field. Initially, the aerospace industry became an important supporter of this technology, discovering that water jets performed excellently in cutting stainless steel, titanium alloys, high-strength lightweight synthetic materials and carbon fiber composites used in military aircraft. Subsequently, abrasive water jet technology was quickly developed in many industries such as processing plants, stone, tile, glass, jet engine manufacturing, construction, nuclear industry, shipyards, etc.