Where did the terms “PI” and “Private Eye” come from?
A. Private investigators have existed for more than 150 years. The first known private detective agency opened in France in 1833. In 1850, Allan Pinkerton formed Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which grew into one of the most famous detective agencies in the United States. The Pinkerton Agency became notorious for breaking strkes, but it also made several contributions to the fields of law enforcement and investigation. The agency takes credit for the concept of the mug shot, and the term “private eye” came from the original Pinkerton logo (see below). Special side note: Ironically, Dan’s grandfather, Malachi Thadeus Gleason, was a Pinkerton’s Private Detective in Nova Scotia, Canada in the early 1900’s. Dan’s grandfather met his grandmother Mimi in Nova Scotia. They got married and moved to Scottsville, NY where they opened the Red & White Grocery Store.
