Charles Avnet (1888–1979) was an American businessman who founded electronics parts distributor Avnet.
Charles Avnet | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1888 |
| Died | 1979 (aged 90–91) |
| Known for | Founder of Avnet |
| Spouse | Celia Avnet |
| Children | Lester Francis Avnet Norman Avnet Robert Avnet Lillian Avnet Marks |
| Family | Jon Avnet (grandson) |
Biography
editAvnet was born to a Jewish family in 1888 in Russia.[1][2][3]
In 1921,[4] Avnet began buying surplus ham radio parts and selling them to the public on Radio Row in the lower Manhattan[1] capitalizing on the end of the World War I era ban on the trade of radio parts in 1918.[2] He had $85,000 in sales in his first year.[1] With the advent of commercial radio broadcasting and factory-made radios (which did not require parts), he adjusted his distribution pipeline and began selling parts to manufacturers and dealers.[2] In 1929, he diversified by branching out into car antenna kits and automobile assembly kits. During the Great Depression, he shifted the focus from retailing to wholesaling.[2] During World War II, sales to the private sector were banned, so Avnet shifted to government sales[4] with an emphasis on connectors.[2] After the war, the market was flooded with war surplus components and Avnet flourished incorporating as Avnet Electronics Supply Co Inc in 1955 reaching $1 million in sales.[4] In 1959, the company went public as Avnet Electronics Corporation.[4]
Personal life
editHe was married to Celia Avnet.[3] They had four children: Lester Francis Avnet (1913–1970), Robert H. Avnet (1919–1964), Lillian Avnet Marks, and Dr. Norman Avnet (1928–2017).[5][6][7] He died in 1979; services were held at Congregation Beth Sholom in Long Beach, New York.[3] His grandson (son of Lester) is director, writer and producer Jon Avnet.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c Hall, Thomas; Wally, Bock (May 12, 2010). Ruthless Focus. Dog Ear. ISBN 9781608446384.
- ^ a b c d e "Charles Avnet and the Golden Age of Radio". Avnet. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ a b c New York Times: "AVNET-Charles-Beloved husband of Celia. Devoted father of Lillian Marks, Dr. Norman Avnet and the late Lester and Robert Avnet" December 26, 1979
- ^ a b c d Bodine, Paul (February 2, 2004). Make It New: Essays in the History of American Business. iUniverse. pp. 34–36. ISBN 9780595309214.
- ^ "AVNET—Robert". The New York Times. July 31, 1964.
- ^ "L.F. Avnet Dead; Industrialist, 57". The New York Times . January 4, 1970.
- ^ "NORMAN L. AVNET". The Berkshire Eagle. January 22, 2017.
- ^ Reif, Rita (January 15, 1994). "Joan Avnet, Dealer, Collector and Donor Of Art, Is Dead at 80". The New York Times.