3 things to know about a 150-year-old Dayton company

Reynolds and Reynolds was founded in Dayton in 1866, and it grew into a trend-setter for helping companies keep track of what they were doing.

The company’s work in standardized business forms was new for the time, which made it an industry leader.

Here are three things to know about Reynolds and Reynolds history.

1. The founding. In 1866 Lucius D. Reynolds, a former Bellefontaine newspaper publisher, made his way to Dayton with $500 tucked in his pocket. He and his brother-in-law, James R. Gardner, moved into a vacant firehouse located behind the Turner Opera House (now the Victoria Theatre) and opened a print shop.

2. The big move. In 1898, Reynolds and Reynolds moved to Washington and Germantown streets, where it remained for more than 100 years.

3. Major role in WWII. Reynolds and Reynolds printed ration books and became the lead printer of technical handbooks for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base during World War II.

» PHOTOS: See how Reynolds and Reynolds has changed over the years

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About the Author

Lisa Powell