Inventor, Businessman. Smith made his first fortune in the livestock commission business, capitalizing on the westward movement. In 1887 he began manufacturing breech-loading firearms. Rights to the L.C. Smith shotgun were sold to Hunter Arms Company in 1889 which continued to manufacture it until 1945 when the business was sold to Martin Firearms Company. On a hunch Smith moved to a new technology, founding the Smith Premier Typewriter Company in 1890 and three years later the L.C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter company. Although not the inventor of the typewriter, his work led to the first machine on which typists could see what they were typing. He was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur among other honors. In 1901 he established the Lyman Cornelius Smith College of Applied Science, donating money to erect a second building and remained on the Board of Trustees until his death. Today Smith Hall is the headquarters of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. In 1925 his company merged with Corona Typewriter Company to become Smith-Corona.
Inventor, Businessman. Smith made his first fortune in the livestock commission business, capitalizing on the westward movement. In 1887 he began manufacturing breech-loading firearms. Rights to the L.C. Smith shotgun were sold to Hunter Arms Company in 1889 which continued to manufacture it until 1945 when the business was sold to Martin Firearms Company. On a hunch Smith moved to a new technology, founding the Smith Premier Typewriter Company in 1890 and three years later the L.C. Smith & Brothers Typewriter company. Although not the inventor of the typewriter, his work led to the first machine on which typists could see what they were typing. He was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur among other honors. In 1901 he established the Lyman Cornelius Smith College of Applied Science, donating money to erect a second building and remained on the Board of Trustees until his death. Today Smith Hall is the headquarters of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. In 1925 his company merged with Corona Typewriter Company to become Smith-Corona.
Bio by: Diane LM
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