This is a story of a young entrepreneur who transformed the printing industry at the dawn of the computer age. Born in Alabama and raised in New York City by his mother, Bill Garth became the President of Lithomat Corporation at the age of twenty-seven; acquired Chemical Products Corporation at the age of thirty; founded Photon, Inc. at the age of thirty-five; and founded Compugraphic Corporation at the age of forty-five. This book is both a personal account of Bill Garth's life, through his letters and family memories, and a history of his companies based on corporate records, public documents and private papers. It serves as a case study of corporate finance and intrigue, disaffected stockholders, fierce competition, litigation and, in the end, a prescription for starting a successful business. This is also a story of strong and independent women: Bill's grandmother Lena, his mother Louise, his wife Sally and his daughter Susan. Though in the background, these women helped shape and sustain Bill's life and career. Finally, this book is a story of the brave pioneers who venture into the unknown to create new businesses, who take amazing risks, who turn defeat into victory and who help to move our civilization steadily forward.
