The industrial model pH meters had features designed specifically for industrial (as opposed to laboratory) environments, like the Model W's rubber gaskets to prevent corrosive gases or dust from entering the instrument.

Arnold Beckman invented his first pH meter in 1934 at the request of a chemist from the California citrus industry, who needed an accurate way to measure the acidity of his product. The resulting instrument kicked off rapid development not only of Beckman Instruments, Inc. but also of the electronic scientific instrument industry.