Skilsaw Model 77 Invented After the Great Depression, In 1928, Skil released the Model E Skilsaw, the first generation saw with a worm drive. In 1937, Edward Sterba built the first Model 77 with a 7+1⁄4-inch (180 mm) blade, considered the "workhorse on building sites". The 75th anniversary of the Model 77 was in 2012.

SKILSAW was founded in 1924 by Edmond Michel and Joseph W. Sullivan. Originally dubbed "The Michel Electric Handsaw Company," the company was renamed to SKILSAW Incorporated in 1926 after Michel left. In 1928, the SKILSAW Model E was invented by Art Emmons.

In woodworking the term "circular saw" refers specifically to the hand-held type and the table saw and chop saw are other common forms of circular saws. "Skilsaw" and "Skil saw" have become generic trademarks for conventional hand-held circular saws in the United States of America.