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Aifred MarchantAmerican inventor and entrepreneur, creator of a series of extremely reliable and practical mechanical and electromechanical calculators.
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Alfred Marchant: The Inventor of Reliable Calculators
- The Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
- Breakthrough with Carl Friden
- The Golden Age of Marchant Calculators
- Diversification and Decline
- The Legacy of Marchant Calculators
Alfred Marchant: The Inventor of Reliable Calculators
Humble Beginnings: The Marchant BrothersAlfred Marchant, along with his brothers Gordon, Rodney, and Cyril, embarked on a journey to create dependable and practical mechanical calculators. The family's humble beginnings involved handcrafted machines, with Alfred focusing on engineering and invention.
The Marchant Calculating Machine Co.
In 1911, Alfred and Rodney co-founded the Marchant Calculating Machine Co. Their patented designs and rigorous manufacturing processes set their calculators apart in terms of reliability and functionality.
Breakthrough with Carl Friden
In 1918, a breakthrough occurred with employee Carl Friden's innovative model, which addressed patent concerns and received widespread acceptance. Friden subsequently led the company's design team until 1934, when he established his own venture.
The Golden Age of Marchant Calculators
The company's focus shifted to producing meticulously engineered and lightning-fast machines. Marchant calculators became synonymous with exceptional performance and became widely adopted in the business world.
Diversification and Decline
In 1958, Smith Corona acquired Marchant as part of a diversification strategy. Despite the release of the SCM Cogito 240SR electronic calculator in 1965, the company struggled to compete with the influx of inexpensive electronic models. Both the calculator and typewriter divisions succumbed to the rise of personal computers.
The Legacy of Marchant Calculators
The early creations of the Marchant brothers starkly contrasted with their later achievements. Their tireless pursuit of perfection resulted in the renowned Marchant calculators that are still admired for their exceptional speed, durability, and technical ingenuity.
