Litton Industries was named after Charles Vincent Litton Sr. (1904–1972) who in 1932, founded Litton Engineering Laboratories. During World War II, Litton participated in the design and production of microwave tubes used in communications and radar equipment. In 1941 he formed a partnership called Industrial and Commercial Electronics with Philip Scofield and Ralph Shermund. After the war, Litton Industries was incorporated in 1947 to manufacture vacuum tubes and the machinery used to produce them. The company grew rapidly, soon rivalling established electronics firms in the east. On August 3rd, 1952, Litton split off the glass lathe products, which became the sole proprietorship Litton Engineering Laboratories on May 1st, 1953.

On November 4th, 1953, he sold the vacuum tube manufacturing portion of the company to Electro Dynamics Corporation, which had been founded by Charles Bates "Tex" Thornton (1913–81). In 1954, Electro Dynamics bought the rights to the name Litton Industries. Over the years there were dozens of further acquisitions, such as Ingalls Shipbuilding Company in 1962. In 1983 the company purchased International Laser Systems, Inc. Several companies were bought and later sold, including Stouffer Foods Corporation (1967–73), the construction business of Rust Engineering Company (1967–72), and Monroe Systems office-equipment division (1958–83).

Litton Industries had more than 80 divisions providing products and services ranging from electronic and electrical components and equipment to aerospace and marine systems and equipment. It was headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. Among Litton’s popularly known brand-name products are Litton microwave ovens and Royal and Triumph typewriters. It was a major defence contractor. In 2001, Northrop Grumman bought Litton Industries.