Remington Rand
Remington Rand (
1927-
1986) was an early
American computer manufacturer, best known as the original maker of the
UNIVAC I, and now part of
Unisys. For a time, the word "univac" was recognized as a generic synonym for "computer". Remington Rand also made office equipment.
Remington Rand was formed by the
1927 merger of the
Remington Typewriter Company,
Rand Kardex Company, and
Powers Accounting Machine Company. Remington Rand merged with
Sperry Corporation in
1955 to form a company then known as Sperry Rand (later shortened to Sperry). Sperry merged in
1986 with
Burroughs to form
Unisys.
From
1942 to
1945, Remington Rand was one manufacturer of the
1911A1 pistol used by the
United States Armed Forces during
World War II. Remington Rand produced more 1911A1 pistols than any other wartime manufacturer.
In
1949, Remington Rand introduced the
Remington Rand 409, the first business computer. The following year, Remington Rand purchased
Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation, makers of
ENIAC, and in
1951 delivered the first
UNIVAC I to the
United States Census Bureau.
Remington Rand also made electric
razors. The
Remington brand of razor was originally produced by a division of Remington Rand, starting in
1937. Sperry Corporation sold the division in
1979 to
Victor Kiam, who became the company spokesman of the new
Remington Products Company. His line, "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company" became one of the more memorable advertising slogans of the early
1980s. Remington Products was sold in
2003 to the
battery manufacturer
Rayovac. Rayovac is now
Spectrum Brands.
The Remington Rand Building at 315
Park Avenue in
New York City is a 20-floor
skyscraper completed in
1911.
