. . . from what I have read so far, CTR was the first Governing Body of modern times.
How did this governing body make its appearance in recent times? Evidently under the direction of Jehovah God and his Son Jesus Christ. According to the facts available, the governing body became associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. C. T. Russell was patently of that governing body back there in the last quarter of the nineteenth century.
1971 The Watchtower, 12/15, p. 760
Russell did not have to work together a s a group to be "the Governing Body", neither did Rutherford.
I guess, Knorr and Franz, when working together, were a grouped Governing Body of two.
. . . just like Noah and his family was an "organization" of eight.