Vaisala's origins date back to the 1930's when Professor Vilho Väisälä, Vaisala's founder and long-time managing director, invented some of the operating principles of a radiosonde. He sent the first Finnish radiosonde aloft in December 1931. After the first sounding,Väisälä continued with further development and tests until a radiosonde could be brought into production and deliveries started in 1936 which marks the beginning of Vaisala.

From a modest start, the company evolved to become a world leader in many measurement fields. Nowadays Vaisala employs over 1,000 people and exports 97 per cent of its production to over 100 countries. Advanced technology, active research and development, and a high degree of specialization characterize all of Vaisala's businesses.