George Coby

George Coby (born Grigol Kobakhidze; Georgian: გრიგოლ კობახიძე; 1883 - October 30, 1967[1]) was an American businessman,inventor and chemist. He is believed to be first Georgian millionaire[2]. Two of his most notable inventions are waterproof concrete and super-hard glass block, he also is linked to invention of first electrical Christmas tree lights[3].

George Coby
Born
Grigol Kobakhidze

1883 (1883)
Tkhmori, Racha, Georgia
Died(1967-10-30)October 30, 1967
Providence, USA
NationalityGeorgian
OccupationBusinessman, Inventor, Chemist
Spouse(s)Dasha Coby

Early Life

George Coby was born Tkhmori, Georgia, then part of Imperial Russia in a family of peasant David Kobakhidze. He received his primary education at home, before studying with a priest at a local parish. At the age of 10 he left his home village and went to Borjomi, where his older brother worked as a machinist.[4] In Borjomi he began to work at a glass factory, where he mastered every technique used in factory and even developed method to boost the productivity.[5] George then moved to Tbilisi to work in a glass factory. During 1905-1907 Russian revolution he was arrested and threatened with deportation. During this period of time he met his wife Dasha Nodvikova, who was of Swedish origin and his later business partner Evgeni Ignatiev. In 1907 he moved to Munich, Germany, in 1908 in London and in 1909 finally to New-York, U.S.

Career

When Coby arrived to the U.S. he began to work with his fellow countrymen from Racha baking bread. He and his wife then began to work for General Electric and worked there for 9 years. During his work-time there he filed for several patents of pens. In 1919 he made enough capital to establish his own factory in Attleboro, Massachusetts. By 1922 his company, Coby Glass Products Company had firmly established itself among the top industrial players of the Eastern United States.[6]. Among the company's products were medical, chemical, construction and 45 other types of goods as well as raw materials. Parallel to his business activities Coby never distanced himself from political and social life. He was very vocal supporter of independence of Democratic Republic of Georgia, which existed between 1918-1921. He visited homeland after soviet occupation of Georgia between 1924 and 1928 twice. Coby always supported emigrants from Georgia in U.S.

George Coby partnered up with Prince Matchabelli and made special bottles for his perfume, in shape of Georgian Queen's insignia[7].

During great depression Coby Glass Products Company lost millions and led to George's business partner Eugene (Evgeni) Ignatiev taking his own life. George Coby filed for bankruptcy, but managed to open small shop, where he sold small glass items and office supplies.

During World War II, on 7th December, 1941 George Coby appealed to U.S. Government for financial support to restore his glass factory aid military production. He was granted 2 million dollars. George opened new factory in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and supplied chemical and medical labs, also field hospitals with glass products.

After World War II ended, Coby expanded production and made Christmas decorations and invented electrical colored lamp decorations, which substituted real candles on Christmas trees. Most of his Christmas items conveyed Georgian motives such as grape leaves and grapes.

George Coby died in October 30, 1967, at the age of 83 or 84.

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References
  1. "George Coby (1883-1967) - Find a Grave-gedenkplek". Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  2. "Forgotten Famous Georgians That Found Fame Abroad". 11 December 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  3. "George "Coby" Kobakhidze from Tkhmori". Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  4. Various sources:
  5. "George "Coby" Kobakhidze from Tkhmori". Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  6. "George Coby, the First Georgian Millionaire in America". Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. Various sources:
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