George Otto Schneller

Background

George Otto was born on January 14, 1843 in Nurrnberg, Germany. He was the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Ruckert) Schneller. His father was a civil engineer and architect for the German government.

Education

His father was a civil engineer and architect for the German government and directed his son's education, through private schooling and the local technical schools, toward engineering.

Career

At the age of seventeen Schneller left his home and emigrated to the United States, landing in New York City. Being an excellent penman and having some knowledge of accountancy, he soon found employment in New York with a commission merchant dealing in brass goods.

He became interested in brass manufacture and within a short time, giving up his position in New York, he went to Ansonia, Connecticut, then the center of the brass industry. There as cashier and accountant he entered the employ of Osborne and Cheesman Company, an influential and notably successful brass manufactory, and in the course of the succeeding eight years advanced rapidly.

In 1870, however, he returned to Germany, primarily to visit his home, and there began the study of electrical engineering, as well as other subjects likely to fit him for a manufacturing career.

When in 1872 he returned to the United States, he engaged in surveying in Ansonia, made a detailed map of Derby and Ansonia, and as a result of his earlier experience with brass manufacture tried his hand at invention. Between February 1872 and July 1873 he obtained four patents on corset springs. About 1874 he spent two years in a variety of mining ventures in the west but returned to Ansonia and bought a spectacle factory at Shelton, Connecticut, which he sold within six months. He then turned his attention to the manufacture of brass corset eyelets. In an effort to improve the slow and wasteful methods of insertion then in use, he devoted three or four years to experimentation. In the next few years he secured patents on a die for making eyelets (November 1880), an eyelet machine, and a punch and die for eyelet machines (May 1884), the latter two inventions being designed primarily for inserting eyelets in corsets.

Meanwhile in 1882 he bought the Osborne and Cheesman business, reorganized it as the Ansonia O. & C. Company, and began the manufacture of brass goods under his patent rights.

Until his death in 1895 Schneller continued as manager, secretary, and treasurer of his company; he also founded and was treasurer of the Union Fabric Company in Ansonia. He died in 1895.

Achievements

• George Otto Schneller obtained four patents on corset springs, on a die for making eyelets, an eyelet machine and began the manufacture of brass goods under his patent rights. Since by his process the amount of waste brass was greatly reduced and the rate of inserting eyelets greatly increased, the corset industry of the world was completely revolutionized. He also patented among other things a hook and eye, a bustle, a machine for covering dress stays, a button press, and a button-fastening device. He was active in the building of the electric street railway system between Derby, Ansonia and Shelton.

Connections

On May 1, 1873, in Ansonia, Schneller married Clarissa Alling, who with their three children survived him.

Father:

Henry Schneller

Mother:

Elizabeth (Ruckert) Schneller

Spouse:

Clarissa Alling