Eli Joseph Cossman (April 13, 1918 – December 7, 2002) was an American inventor, businessman, entrepreneur and author. With Milton Levine, Cossman was the co-creator of the ant farm[1] and spud gun toys. He also made millions of dollars selling various novelties and conducting sales seminars.[2]
Eli Joseph Cossman | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 13, 1918 Pittsburgh, PA |
| Died | December 7, 2002 (aged 84) Palm Springs, CA |
| Known for | Spud gun, Ant farm toys |
Career
editCossman started the Los Angeles-based Cossman & Levine Inc. with his brother-in-law Milton Levine in 1946.[2] In 1965, Levine bought out Cossman, renamed the company Uncle Milton Industries and packaged the product as Uncle Milton's Ant farm.
A 1989 article in the Chicago Tribune called him the "King of the Thingamajig".[3]
References
edit- ^ "Milton Levine dies at 97; co-creator of popular ant farm toys". Los Angeles Times. January 26, 2011.
- ^ a b "E.J. Cossman, 84; Ant Farm, Spud Gun Made Him Fortune – Los Angeles T…". April 5, 2021. Archived from the original on April 5, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Steve. "JUST CALL HIM A TITAN OF THE THINGAMAJIG". chicagotribune.com.