* personal profile:
Antonín Bata was Tomas Bata's own brother and one of three siblings – co-founders of the family company Bata. The company Bata was registered in his name in 1894-1900. He and Tomas shared a close brotherly relationship. He was not as progressive and visionary as Tomas, but he helped him fulfil his visions. A year after the establishment of the company, he joined the mandatory military service, for which he spent three years. During this period, the Bata company faced imminent bankruptcy, which Tomas Bata had to face alone. Antonín took this situation hard and felt guilty for the problems the company had to deal with and it was up to Tomas solve them. He allegedly often returned to this situation. Tomas understood him. Although there was a period when Antonín was no longer so active in the company because he was suffering from tuberculosis, he was always a key person and provided moral support to Tomas. Antonín was artistically oriented, played the violin and worked in a volunteer theatre group in Zlín. He died on June 8, 1908. Tomas had a hard time coping with his premature death and kept the initial of his brother's first name in the name of the company - T. & A. Bata for a very long time.
Tomas Bata through the eyes of Antonín: “Tomo, people must not be afraid of you, you would not be able to do anything. I know you mean well, so learn to say it nicely.”
Antonín Bata through the eyes of Hedvika Hladká, tailor in his father's workshop:
Antonín was really handsome. He was exceptionally good-looking and polite. He was a good man and very eloquent. We all liked him, young girls and older women too. Tomas was smiling and kind to the workers, but Antonín was a dandy with a twinkle in his eye.
Antonín Baťa, 1894 (SOkA Zlín, o. č. 2593 p. č. 2)
