Arthur Pitney

Arthur H. Pitney
Born1871
Quincy, Illinois, United States
Died1933
Occupation(s)Businessman, inventor
Known forInventor of the Postal Meter, Co-founder with Walter Bowes of the Pitney Bowes Postage Meter Company
AwardsFranklin 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.