Early Diebold History

**wylk** · 15-02-20, 05:42 PM

According to the book The Name's Familiar II by Laura Lee (2001) and the Encyclopedia of Entrepeneurs, Diebold, Norris & Company formed in 1874 but was forced into bankruptcy in 1875 because a large vault job in San Francisco cost far more than expected. In 1876 the company reformed as Diebold Safe & Lock Company.

This morning I spotted a trade card on eBay that seems to be from that transition period. It shows a very fancy vault and explains the new company is the successor to the old company. If this is the vault that bankrupted them, I can see how that could happen!

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Name: 1880s San Francisco vault 1.jpg
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Name: 1880s San Francisco vault 2.jpg
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**Doug MacQueen** · 16-02-20, 12:10 AM

Yes, getting in over you head is what happened. It also occurred not real long after moving to Canton from Cincy. Norris was obviously quite the salesman. He turns up later as the Norris in Ely Norris cannonballs.

**wylk** · 22-02-20, 12:46 AM

Some more old bits about Norris. There is a cute pamphlet that is probably from 1882. It isn't dated but includes three testimonials from 1882 (and a reference to the great Chicago fire, which was 1871). John Norris is listed as Vice-president and Western Manager. I enjoy the artwork.

These images were, I think, from an eBay auction.