Pitney filed a patent application, in Stamford, Connecticut for the world’s first postage meter on December 9, 1901.

He presented, demonstrated and perfected his invention over two decades – after partnering with Walter Bowes, the postage meter was approved by the U.S.

In 1890 he moved to Chicago, where he attended the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, spending days viewing the mechanical inventions on display.

In 1919, Pitney was introduced to Walter Bowes, an industrialist who had success marketing a post office stamp canceling machine.

Pitney and Bowes set up a manufacturing presence in Stamford, Connecticut and by 1922 there were branch offices in a dozen major cities and the Pitney-Bowes postage meter was also approved for use in Canada and England.