Arthur H. Pitney | |
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Born | 1871 Quincy, Illinois, United States |
Died | 1933 |
Occupation(s) | Businessman, inventor |
Known for | Inventor of the Postal Meter, Co-founder with Walter Bowes of the Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Company |
Awards | Franklin Institute Certificate of Merit |
Arthur H. Pitney (1871–1933) was an American inventor and businessman, best known as the father of the postage meter. Pitney filed a patent application, in Stamford, Connecticut for the world’s first postage meter on December 9, 1901. He presented, demonstrated and perfected his invention over two decades – after partnering with Walter Bowes, the postage meter was approved by the U.S. Postal Service. He co-founded the Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter Company in 1920, now known as Pitney Bowes - it is a $6.1 billion provider. Pitney’s invention, the Pitney Bowes Model M Postage Meter, has been recognized as an International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.