Arnold Neustadter was an American inventor and businessman. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he attended New York University and was employed at his father's box factory. In 1938, Neustadter started a company called Zephyr American that manufactured and sold all the inventions he owned including the Rolodex. With Danish self-taught engineer Hildaur Neilson, he invented the Rolodex desktop rotating card file and other office equipment.

Neustadter's earlier inventions included the Autodex, a spring-operated phone directory that automatically opened to the selected letter, Swivodex, an inkwell that did not spill, Punchodex, a paper hole puncher, and Clipodex, a transcription aid that attached to a stenographer's knee. Rolodex was first marketed in 1958.

Neustadter ran Zephyr American until 1961, when he sold the company to the Insilco Corporation of Dublin, Ohio, which later decided to rename the division after its most famous product. Neustadter retained the European rights to Rolodex and spent seven years in London managing the business. But he began turning more of his attention to philanthropy and art.

Newell Rubbermaid completed its acquisition of the Rolodex business unit of Insilco Corporation in March 1997.

See:

Zuckerman, Laurence, “Arnold Neustadter Dies at 85; Orderly Mind Behind Rolodex," New York Times (April 19, 1996).