Benson-Lehner Corporation
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Digital technology, Defense, Aerospace |
| Founded | 1950 |
| Founder | Bernard Benson, George Lehner |
| Fate | Acquired by United Gas Corporation in 1964 |
| Headquarters | West Los Angeles, California , United States |
| Products | Plotters, input-output devices, high-speed precision cameras, Computyper calculator |
Benson-Lehner Corporation was a pioneering firm in digital technology, concentrating on plotters and input-output devices predominantly acquired by various U.S. government agencies throughout the Cold War era. The company later diversified into producing high-speed precision cameras tailored for military uses, including nuclear weapons and missile testing. Established in 1950 in Santa Monica, California, by entrepreneur Bernard Benson, a former British Spitfire pilot, alongside George Lehner, a psychology professor and inventor from UCLA, the enterprise initially operated out of Santa Monica with manufacturing facilities located in England and France before moving its headquarters to West Los Angeles and Van Nuys.
Business model
The primary focus of Benson-Lehner was on electronic plotting equipment that transformed X and Y coordinate data into graphical outputs on paper, catering mainly to government and defense sectors.
Other Products
- Computyper — This electromechanical calculator combined a modified Friden calculator with an IBM Model B electric typewriter to create an automated calculation device aimed at accounting and data processing markets. Although it represented a technological advancement, it achieved limited commercial success, prompting Benson-Lehner to transfer the product to Friden, which further developed and marketed it under the same Computyper brand.
- High-Speed Film Camera — The company’s photo instrumentation division manufactured high-speed motion picture cameras in 16mm, 35mm, and 70mm formats for aerospace and defense industries, enhancing its range of specialized products.
Key Figures
- Bernard Benson—As co-founder alongside Lehner, Benson brought experience from Douglas Aircraft and service as a Spitfire pilot with the RAF during WW2. Recognized as both "brilliant" and "eccentric," he was father to ten children, constructed a bomb shelter in Malibu, and authored works advocating for global peace.
- George F.G. Lehner—Lehner, co-founder and former UCLA psychology professor, served as a U.S. Army Major specializing in aviation psychology during WWII. He held a patent for a reading accelerator device and focused his expertise on interpersonal skills, executive training, and organizational performance.
- George M. Ryan—Creator of the "Computyper" product line and subsequent company president, Ryan was an Army officer during WWII with a background in accounting. Following his tenure at Benson-Lehner, he led multiple technology companies including CADO Systems.
- Ed Jessup—Serving as general counsel for Benson-Lehner and founding partner of Ervin, Cohen & Jessup LLP, Jessup had an extensive legal career spanning 70 years after his WWII Navy service.
- Donald Prell—Vice president responsible for Application Engineering as well as managing recruitment and marketing directed at military clientele. A WWII Army veteran who transitioned from mathematics to psychology, Prell developed intelligence assessments critical to the company’s hiring processes.
- Leonard M. Sperry—Investor and board member who supported Benson-Lehner alongside other ventures by Max Palevsky. A notable civic leader in Los Angeles, Sperry’s contributions include the Leonard M. Sperry Center for Intergroup Cooperation located in Rome.
- Max Palevsky—An early advisor who later founded Scientific Data Systems, Palevsky used his success to invest in film projects and political causes. His academic studies encompassed mathematics and philosophy at both the University of Chicago and UCLA.
- Guy H. Hearon, Jr.—Founder of Benson-Lehner’s high-speed film division with aerospace industry expertise in designing motion picture cameras for military use; he served as Vice President managing photo instrumentation products.
- Jean Mourier (France)—Technical specialist who launched Benson-Lehner’s European branch in France (1956–1966), facilitating sales support and maintenance throughout Europe after receiving training in the United States.
This leadership team blended technological innovation with strategic business growth efforts that propelled Benson-Lehner’s expansion within aerospace and defense markets.
Legacy
In 1964, United Gas Corporation purchased the company to enhance UGC’s strategic emphasis on managing data processing facilities for military and governmental clients. After this acquisition, the founder Benson retired to France, where he dedicated himself to supporting global peace efforts and ultimately gifted his Dordogne estate to a Tibetan Buddhist community.