Charles Xavier was born in Colmar, France back in 1785. He joined the French Army in 1809. He rose through the ranks to be the General Manager of the supply store while stationed in Spain in 1813. He continued to rise through the ranks becoming Inspector of Supply for the entire French Army, until he was discharged in 1819.
When he returned to civilian life he co-founded an insurance company that he left shortly afterwards due to the lack of support. In 1829, he founded another insurance company the “Le Soleii” which he kept until his death in 1870. That insurance company has hanged names several times becoming the GAN Company that is still in existence to this day.
What you may not know about Charles Xavier Thomas is that he is best known for designing patenting and manufacturing the first commercially successful mechanical calculator called the Arithmoeter in 1821. It was so successful that it was used by the government, banks, insurance companies and observatories. It was in continues production for 40 years ending around 1914.
I bet you didn’t know the calculator was invented that long, ago did you? Until tomorrow surprise someone with a smile
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