Allen B. Gellman (April 19, 1906 – September 13, 1967) was an American jewelry manufacturer and first sponsor of You Bet Your Life, the radio (and later TV) program hosted by Groucho Marx. Gellman was elected to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 1956. He was president of the Elgin American jewelry company.
Early years and career Allen Gellman was born as Adalbert Béla Gellman. He emigrated from Hungary to the United States in 1930, aged 24 and became a naturalized citizen on January 11, 1939. He worked as a machinist, attended night school, and began manufacturing costume jewelry.
Gellman and a partner, Joseph Weiss, owned and operated the Illinois Watch Case Company in Elgin, manufacturing compacts and cigarette lighters, and the U.S. Wind Engine and Pump Company in Batavia, making farm equipment. In 1941, with the government restricting commercial production in order to allocate material and manpower to war production, Gellman and Weiss needed a government contract. Gellman met Henry Garsson in Washington outside a congressman's office. When Garsson described his requirements for the manufacture of shells, Gellman agreed to provide the means to fill them."When War Profiteering Hit Batavia. The Garsson–May Connection". The Batavia Historian. Batavia Historical Society. Batavia, Illinois. Vol. 38 No. 1. January 1997
Garsson and his older brother, Murray Garsson, had started a munitions contracting business in 1941. A Kentucky congressman, Andrew J. May, chairman of the House Military Affairs Committee during World War II, facilitated the Garssons' enterprise.Time, "Handy Andy", June 9, 1947."The Congress: Murray Garsson's Suckers". Time. August 12, 1946
After the war, a Senate investigating committee reviewing the Garsson's munitions business discovered evidence that May had received substantial cash payments and other inducements from the Garssons.Time, "Still Calling Yankel", July 29, 1946.
Inventor Gellman held patents for lighters, compacts, filler valves, and a container for personal items.Pyrophoric Lighter US Pat. 174806 - Filed January 3, 1955, United States Patent Office. Allen B. Gellman, Glencoe, Il1. Application January 3, 1955Compact. US Pat. 2990054 - Filed September 18, 1958 AB GellmanFiller Valve. US Pat. 3285298 - Filed September 11, 1963 AB GellmanPyrophoric lighter. US Pat. 2865185 - Filed January 28, 1957. AB GellmanFuel Valve. US Pat. 3286741 - Filed June 24, 1963 ab gellmanCarryall. US Pat. 2825345 - Filed March 1, 1956, ab gellmanGellman Lighter. US Pat. 3222894 - Filed July 23, 1962. AB GellmanGellman Pyrophoric Lighter, US Pat. 2957328 - Filed April 10, 1957, AB GellmanContainer for Personal Items. US Pat. 2720208 - Filed August 20, 1952, AB GellmanGellman Lighter. US Pat. 3134251 - Filed December 27, 1960. AB GellmanAllen B. Gellman on Google Patents Gellman's inventiveness extended to his office desk, which he designed with hidden elevators and pivoting drawers, giving him fingertip control over everything inside."Ultramodern Desk". Popular Mechanics. April 1950, p. 138
Groucho Marx Gellman, president of the Elgin American Company, maker of watch cases, cigarette lighters, and compacts, was the first sponsor of You Bet Your Life, Groucho Marx's radio program, on ABC Radio and CBS Radio from October 1947 to January 1950.Charlotte Chandler, Hello, I Must Be Going: Groucho and His Friends (Doubleday, 1978) p. 190Groucho Marx, The Groucho Letters: Letters From and to Groucho Marx (Simon & Schuster, 1967) p. 311 This company is unrelated to the Elgin National Watch Company.
Later life and death Gellman was elected to the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, 1956."Winners Of 'Rags-To-Riches' Horatio Alger Awards Named", The Sun, April 22, 19561956 Horatio Alger Award Winner He died from cardiovascular disease, aged 61.
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