John Thomas Underwood
John Thomas Underwood ( born April 12, 1857 in England; † July 2, 1937 ) was the founder, CEO and owner of Underwood Typewriter Company in the United States of America.
Biography
Underwood emigrated as a teenager in 1873 from London to America. He joined the father's company John Underwood & Company. Underwood was, since 1874, producer of inks, ribbons, carbon papers, and other accessories that were previously manufactured by E. Remington & Sons. A decade later attracted Underwood and his brother Frederick from New Jersey to Brooklyn. As Underwood wanted to introduce its products again at the typewriter manufacturer Remington, he was told tersely that Remington producing his ribbons future self. Underwood replied only that Underwood would then just will manufacture its own typewriters.
Underwood acquired the rights to the 1896 developed by Franz Xaver Wagner type lever typewriter for Wagner held the patent. The invention of the transmission by Wagner Wagner himself made it possible for the first time that the writing was seen immediately. So far, the types of typewriters available at that time were usually struck from below. This all new design principle helped Underwood unique success. 1898 Wagner fell into financial trouble and sold his entire patents and manufacturing rights for Underwood.
The first models " Underwood No.. 1 "and" Underwood No.. 2 ", manufactured 1896-1900, contributed on the back yet the word" Wagner Typewriter Co. ".
Underwood had in particular with the model " Underwood No.. 5 " huge success from 1900 in the USA. This machine sat by their construction the standard for all subsequent machines from other manufacturers. Underwood was also successful abroad. He supplied the court of Vienna and was honored for his services to the imperial Appointed purveyor to the court. As early as 1910 produced Underwood typewriters with addition and subtraction units. By 1915, the " Underwood Typewriter Company" market leader and largest manufacturer of typewriters was worldwide. Up to 500 machines left at that time every day the factory in New York. 1920, over 50 % of all typewriters in the United States of Underwood. By 1939, Underwood has produced five million machines.
Underwood was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery on July 4, 1937 in Brooklyn. His wife Grace Brainard Underwood Barton was born in 1968 buried next to him.
Discount
The land on which his mansion in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn was bestowed upon his death by his widow, Grace Underwood Barton and his daughter Gladys Underwood James town. The villa and the greenhouse were already demolished to make way for a park, which was named in honor of the former owner " Underwood Park". The regulation issued to Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. (no relation to Francis Xavier Wagner). The park was opened on May 30, 1956 to the public.