Charles F. Brannock

Charles F. Brannock
Born	May 16, 1903
Died	November 22, 1992 (age 89)
Residence	Syracuse, New York
Nationality	United States
Fields	Inventor
Known for	Brannock Device
Notable awards	National Inventors Hall of Fame, inducted 2007

Charles F. Brannock (May 16, 1903 – November 22, 1992) was the inventor and manufacturer of the familiar Brannock Device for measuring overall length, width, and heel-to-ball length of the foot. Brannock, proprietor of the successful Park-Brannock Shoe Store in Syracuse, New York, developed the device in 1925. The instrument was a sales aid, but by ensuring more accurate fittings, the device also helped his customers alleviate or avoid foot problems due to ill-fitting shoes. Brannock also developed specially calibrated devices for the various branches of the military, which issued millions of boots and shoes to servicemen, especially during World War II. Though there were competing measuring devices on the market, the Brannock Device quickly became the industry standard and is still used in shoe stores all over the world.

Patents

• Charles F. Brannock, "Foot-Measuring Instrument," U.S. Patent 1,682,366

Sources

• Craig, Berry. "Why the Shoe Fits." American Heritage of Invention & Technology 16, no. 1. (Summer 2000): 64.
• Davidson, Martha. "A Fitting Place for the Brannock Device Company Records." 2001.
• National Inventors Hall of Fame profile
• Brannock Device Company Records, 1925–1998

Persondata
Name	Brannock, Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	May 16, 1903
Place of birth
Date of death	November 22, 1992
Place of death