Charles Ranlett Flint | |
|---|---|
 Flint in 1907 | |
| Born | (1850-01-24)January 24, 1850 Thomaston, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | February 26, 1934(1934-02-26) (aged 84) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Other names | Computer King |
| Alma mater | Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn(BS) |
| Occupation | Financial capitalist - founder ofComputing-Tabulating-Recording Company |
| Spouses | |
Charles Ranlett Flint (January 24, 1850 – February 26, 1934) was the founder of theComputing-Tabulating-Recording Company which later becameIBM. For his financial dealings, he earned the moniker "Father of Trusts".[1][2] He was an avid sportsman and member of the syndicate that built the yachtVigilant, that was the U.S. defender of the eighthAmerica's Cup and was the owner of the yachtGracie.[3][4]
Flint was born on January 24, 1850, inThomaston,Maine.[5] His father, Benjamin Chapman, had changed the family name to Flint after being adopted by an uncle on his mother's side. The family moved from Maine toNew York City where his father ran the family's mercantile firm Chapman & Flint, which had been founded in 1837.[6] Flint married the composerKate Simmons in 1883.[7]
In 1868, Charles Flint graduated from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, which is nowNew York University Tandon School of Engineering, inBrooklyn. In 1871, he entered the shipping business as a partner in Gilchrest, Flint & Co., which becameW. R. Grace and Company following amerger.
From 1876 to 1879, he served as theChilean consul inNew York City. He also served as consul general to the United States forNicaragua andCosta Rica.
In 1892, heconsolidated several companies to formU.S. Rubber.[8] In 1893, he fitted out a fleet of naval ships for Brazilian Republic. He purchased theEsmeralda from the Chilean Navy and delivered it viaEcuador to Japan during theFirst Sino-Japanese War.[9] In 1899, he repeated the success he had in forming U.S. Rubber by consolidatingAdams Chewing Gum,Chiclets,Dentyne, andBeemans to formAmerican Chicle. He was also responsible for the formation of TheAmerican Woolen Company that year. Some newspapers began to refer to him as "the Rubber King".[10][11]
In 1911, he formed theComputing-Tabulating-Recording Company through anamalgamation of stock acquisition of four companies: Tabulating Machine Company, International Time Recording Company, Computing Scale Company of America, and theBundy Manufacturing Company.[12][13][14]Amalgamation was unusual at the time - Flint described it as an"allied" consolidation.[15] In 1924, CTR was re-christened as International Business Machines. Flint served on the board of directors of IBM until he retired in 1930.[16]
He died on February 26, 1934, inWashington, D.C.[17]
Charles Flint was an avid sportsman and loved swimming, hunting, fishing, sailing, and aviation. He was one of seven founders of the Automobile Club of America.[18] He held the worldwater speed record.
HisTime magazine obituary stated he negotiated theWright brothers' first sales of airplanes overseas.[19]But it was the Wrights themselves, in sometimes contentious negotiations with Charles R. Flint & Co., who determined contract terms.[20]
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