Chas. Cory & Son, Inc.

Established in 1845 in New York, Chas. Cory & Son, Inc. was a notable company specializing in brass ship's hardware.

• Founding and Early Years:
  • The company was founded by Charles Cory at 278 Division St. on the lower east side of Manhattan.
  • Their expertise lay in fabricating brass ship's railings, bells, bell pulls, and speaking tubes.
  • At that time, steamships were still relatively scarce, and Cory capitalized on being one of the few brass ship's hardware manufacturers in the country.
• Expansion and Name Change:
  • In 1851, Charles Cory's son, John F. Cory, joined the business.
  • The company underwent a name change to Chas Cory & Son.
  • Between 1866 and 1892, Cory & Son focused primarily on patenting and installing signaling equipment for various navies and merchant marines. This included electrical telegraphs.
  • John F. Cory dedicated over 40 years to developing and designing electrical signaling equipment.
• Generational Transition:
  • After John F.'s passing in 1892, his two sons, Charles and John M., continued operations.
  • The company expanded its sales offices to San Francisco, Seattle, and Philadelphia.
  • In the spring of 1930, Bendix Aviation Corp (a subsidiary of General Motors) acquired Charles Cory & Sons Corporation.
  • This marked Bendix and General Motors' entry into the marine industry.
• Legacy:
  • Cory & Sons operated as a division of Bendix-Cory or Bendix Marine Corp (the successor to Cory & Sons) until the early 1950s.
  • Over the years, the Cory family's expertise continued to contribute to equipment production in various Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The legacy of Chas. Cory & Son, Inc. remains intertwined with maritime history, signaling technology, and the evolution of marine hardware.