The Hammond electric organ was introduced in 1935 and became popular first as a cheaper alternative to church pipe organs and then as an jazz, blues and rock instrument in its own right. The organ was often paired with a rotating Leslie speaker to give a tremolo effect. In the early 1970s Hammond also introduced a guitar synth called the Condor GSM, via its Innovex Division.

In the 1970s Hammond moved from using rotating tone wheel and pickups on their organs to solid state integrated circuits. At this time numerous other electronic keyboard manufacturers entered the market and Hammond struggled financially eventually going out of business in 1985.

The Hammond and Leslie brand names were bought by the Suzuki Musical Instrument Corporation (Japan), which continues to manufacture Hammond branded organs as well as Leslie speakers and guitar effects pedals.