Charles F. Brannock Inventor of Brannock's device Date of Birth: 16.05.1903 Country: USA

1. The Inventor of the Brannock Device
2. The Invention of the Brannock Device
3. Popularity and Impact
4. Charles F. Brannock's Legacy

The Inventor of the Brannock Device

Charles F. Brannock was born on May 16, 1903, in Syracuse, New York. His father, Otis Brannock, co-founded the shoe company 'Park-Brannock Shoe Co.' in 1906 together with Ernest Parks. While studying at Syracuse University, Charles became involved in his father's shoe business and became fascinated with finding a better way to measure foot sizes. For a couple of years, he pondered his idea until he created the first prototype using a children's construction set. In 1926-1927, he patented his device and established a company for its production.

The Invention of the Brannock Device

Before the invention of the Brannock Device, people relied on primitive wooden blocks for measuring foot sizes. Brannock's invention greatly improved the accuracy of measurements, with an error margin of only 4-5%. The measurement system was incremental, where each subsequent shoe size for length increased by 1/3 inch. The same rule applied to width, with each size being 3/16 inch wider than the previous one. The Brannock Device was manufactured in different color variations, including green, purple, red, and black. Special models were developed for men, women, athletic shoes, ski boots, and children's footwear.

Popularity and Impact

During the early stages of popularizing the device, it was used in a local shoe store, and customers soon realized that nowhere else in Syracuse was footwear fitted as perfectly as there. If Brannock encountered an "unusual foot," he would work on modifying his device to accommodate it. Over time, rumors of the miraculous measuring device spread throughout the district, leading to a noticeable increase in demand for Charles' product. During World War II, Brannock was even hired by the military to ensure that servicemen were provided with boots and shoes that fit them perfectly. During this period, the inventor significantly increased his production capacity.

Charles F. Brannock's Legacy

Charles was one of those who fervently believed in the power of things that many considered obsolete. He loved working in the city center and had a passion for small businesses. Advisors suggested to Brannock that he should switch to plastic devices to ensure customers would buy new products in a few years. However, Charles refused to compromise the durability of his invention and continued making his devices from sturdy steel. Today, most stores rely on their Brannock Devices for 10-15 years of service.

In the 1980s, Brannock would be present in his office every working day to oversee the company's operations. However, his health began to decline during this period, leading him to make the decision to sell his business. He adamantly refused to entertain the idea of making any changes to the device's design or switching to cheaper materials during negotiations. Charles F. Brannock passed away at the age of 90 on November 22, 1992.

In the years following his death, the Brannock Device has undergone minimal changes. However, the current owners of Charles' company are considering the possibility of creating a digital model of the device.