Charles R. Keeran

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Charles R. Keeran was an Illinois inventor and businessman.

Keeran was originally from Bloomington, Illinois.

Around 1914, Keeran invented the basic mechanism for the Eversharp mechanical pencil, thought up the "Eversharp" trademark, and set up a company to make and sell Eversharp pencils. He relocated to Evansville. He soon entered into a business alliance with the Wahl Adding Machine Company in Chicago. Wahl officers obtained a majority share in the Eversharp Pencil Company and, in 1917, forced Keeran out of the company.

In 1919, Keeran registered the "Autopoint" trademark. In 1921, Keeran joined three businessmen in the Realite Pencil Company. Keeran brought the Autopoint name with him. Within a few years the company was renamed, the Autopoint Company.

Keeran felt that his invention and suggestions during his association with Wahl were the basis of their prosperity. For years, he fought a battle to get just compensation from the Wahl Company. He got no satisfaction.