Timothy S. Leatherman
Encyclopedia
Timothy S. Leatherman is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
as well as the inventor of the first multipurpose tool. Timothy graduated from Oregon State University
in 1970 with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. According to an article in The Oregonian
"Leatherman came up with the idea of a "Boy Scout knife with pliers" during a 1975 driving tour of Europe with his wife, when he was unable to use his pocket knife to fix his repeatedly malfunctioning car." It took him several months afterwards to refine his idea, and he was granted a patent on the first Leatherman tool in 1980. Timothy spent the next few years attempting to market his product to large companies with technical staff, such as AT&T
, but this was largely unsuccessful. The tool eventually gained popularity through mail order catalogues.
Leatherman
Leatherman is the trade name for a line of multi-tools, knives and LED flashlights manufactured and marketed by Leatherman Tool Group of Portland, Oregon, USA.-Company history:Timothy S...
as well as the inventor of the first multipurpose tool. Timothy graduated from Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
in 1970 with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. According to an article in The Oregonian
The Oregonian
The Oregonian is the major daily newspaper in Portland, Oregon, owned by Advance Publications. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper on the U.S. west coast, founded as a weekly by Thomas J. Dryer on December 4, 1850...
"Leatherman came up with the idea of a "Boy Scout knife with pliers" during a 1975 driving tour of Europe with his wife, when he was unable to use his pocket knife to fix his repeatedly malfunctioning car." It took him several months afterwards to refine his idea, and he was granted a patent on the first Leatherman tool in 1980. Timothy spent the next few years attempting to market his product to large companies with technical staff, such as AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, but this was largely unsuccessful. The tool eventually gained popularity through mail order catalogues.