Zephyr began its operations at its present site in Inglewood, California. At that time, its original founder, Mr. Don Dotson who was then a Regional Sales Manager for Chicago Pneumatic Tool, saw the need for a specialized tool manufacturer to support the growing west coast aircraft industry. Original customers included Boeing, Douglas Aircraft, North American Aviation, Rohr, Ryan Aviation, Northrop and Lockheed, to name a few. Mr. Dotson successfully built the company in its early years to become the premier specialty tool supplier in this growing aircraft industry. It was this birth that gave rise to Zephyr becoming a household word at aviation customers.

Mr. Dotson continued to build the company through the early 40's, providing a significant effort in supporting the War effort. In 1945, to further help in the operation of the company, Mr. Dotson took on an equal partner, Mr. Jay Harkey. Together, Dotson and Harkey ran the company until 1969, when Mr. Dotson passed away. At that time, Mr. Harkey took control of the company and ran it until 1978, when he sold the company to a St. Louis investor, Mr. Lunsford. Lunsford owned the company until the end of 1980, when it was sold to Standun Inc.  Today, Zephyr is a privately held company and owned by Resource Holdings LTD.