In 1899 George W. and Libanus M. Todd opened G.W. Todd & Co., dealers of office specialties.  That same year Libanus began work on a device that would protect checks from forgery.  Its beginnings were in the shed of Charles G. Tiefel’s house on Gregory Street.  There, Tiefel and Libanus Todd developed the Protectograph, a device used to protect checks from fraud by shredding the fibers of the paper and allowing indelible ink to penetrate.  The Todd Protectograph became the world’s standard of protection for checks and documents; an advertisement from 1915 claims over 375,000 in use.  The company is first listed on East Avenue, eventually setting up headquarters on University Avenue in 1909.  In 1916 they become the Todd Protectograph Co., and then the Todd Company in 1925.

This is the home of George W.’s son, George L. Todd.  He started as a clerk with the Todd Company in 1925, and at the time of these photographs was Vice President and General Manager.  The Pittsford directories show that he moved in about 1950.  The house was built in 1930 and these photographs document what appears to be a rehab of an existing pool.  Currently the pool is enclosed and most likely does not retain the original structure.  From the Whiting Collection.  Reproduced from 4”x 5” negatives. 

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