Bundy Manufacturing Company
Encyclopedia
The Bundy Manufacturing Company was a 19th-century American manufacturer of timekeeping devices that went through a series of mergers, eventually becoming part of International Business Machines. The company was founded by the Bundy brothers.
Willard L. Bundy was born in 1846 in Otsego, New York
. His family later moved to Auburn, New York
, where he worked as a jeweler and invented a time clock
in 1888. He later obtained patents of many mechanical devices. However, he split with his brother and business associates about these patents, wanting to keep them for himself and his family. He moved to Syracuse
and purchased the Dey Time Recording Company, later renaming it the International Time Recording Company. This company later failed.
Harlow E. Bundy was born in 1856 in Auburn, New York
. He was a graduate of Hamilton College. He died in 1916 in Pasadena, California
, after retiring from business in 1915.
In 1889, the two brothers established the Bundy Manufacturing Company in Binghamton, New York
to produce time clock
s. The clocks were intended to eliminate the need for timekeepers and watchmen, who would otherwise be required to ensure that workers were diligent in performing their work. The original Bundy Manufacturing Company employed less than a dozen workers. The Bundy Manufacturing Company relocated to Endicott, New York
in 1906 (see Williams' Binghamton City Directory, 1906).
It merged with the Frick Manufacturing Company and the Standard Time Stamp Company. It acquired the Chicago Time Register Company. Then known as the International Time Recording Company
, it acquired the Del Ray Register Company and the Syracuse Time Recording Company. In 1911, it and three other companies merged to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR). In 1924, CTR was renamed International Business Machines
.
Willard L. Bundy was born in 1846 in Otsego, New York
Otsego, New York
Otsego is a town in Otsego County, New York, United States. The population was 3,904 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a lake on its border.The Town of Otsego is in the north central part of the county.- History :...
. His family later moved to Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
, where he worked as a jeweler and invented a time clock
Time clock
A time clock, sometimes known as a clock card machine or punch clock or time recorder, is a mechanical timepiece used to assist in tracking the hours an employee of a company worked. In regards to mechanical time clocks this was accomplished by inserting a heavy paper card, called a timesheet,...
in 1888. He later obtained patents of many mechanical devices. However, he split with his brother and business associates about these patents, wanting to keep them for himself and his family. He moved to Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and purchased the Dey Time Recording Company, later renaming it the International Time Recording Company. This company later failed.
Harlow E. Bundy was born in 1856 in Auburn, New York
Auburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
. He was a graduate of Hamilton College. He died in 1916 in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, after retiring from business in 1915.
In 1889, the two brothers established the Bundy Manufacturing Company in Binghamton, New York
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
to produce time clock
Time clock
A time clock, sometimes known as a clock card machine or punch clock or time recorder, is a mechanical timepiece used to assist in tracking the hours an employee of a company worked. In regards to mechanical time clocks this was accomplished by inserting a heavy paper card, called a timesheet,...
s. The clocks were intended to eliminate the need for timekeepers and watchmen, who would otherwise be required to ensure that workers were diligent in performing their work. The original Bundy Manufacturing Company employed less than a dozen workers. The Bundy Manufacturing Company relocated to Endicott, New York
Endicott, New York
Endicott is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 13,038 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village is named after Henry B...
in 1906 (see Williams' Binghamton City Directory, 1906).
It merged with the Frick Manufacturing Company and the Standard Time Stamp Company. It acquired the Chicago Time Register Company. Then known as the International Time Recording Company
Time clock
A time clock, sometimes known as a clock card machine or punch clock or time recorder, is a mechanical timepiece used to assist in tracking the hours an employee of a company worked. In regards to mechanical time clocks this was accomplished by inserting a heavy paper card, called a timesheet,...
, it acquired the Del Ray Register Company and the Syracuse Time Recording Company. In 1911, it and three other companies merged to form the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR). In 1924, CTR was renamed International Business Machines
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
.