William Stanley was a hard-working inventor and in 1913 he changed how hot drinks were
consumed by fusing vacuum insulation and the strength of steel in one portable bottle.
In the century since, his all-steel vacuum bottle grew from an idea into an icon that
has become an indispensable part of workdays, home games and fishing seasons. But the
history of the Stanley® brand goes much deeper than just a hot cup of coffee.
The dates below tell the step-by-step story of how we matured from one good idea to
one trusted brand.
OUR HISTORY
|
| 1913 |
Recognized inventor, William Stanley Jr. invents the all-steel vacuum bottle in
Great Barrington, Mass. This invention changed vacuum insulation forever by showing
for the first time that steel could be used to insulate a vacuum bottle instead of
glass. |
| 1915 |
The Stanley Insulating Company begins mass production of the Stanley® vacuum
bottle, insulating jugs and beverage servers. |
| 1916 |
William Stanley Jr. passes away at 57. Mechanical engineer Harry Badger takes
over as General Manager after a New York City investment company acquires Stanley
Insulating Company. |
| 1921 |
Landers, Frary and Clark, a major household appliance manufacturer, out of
New Britain, Connecticut acquires the company and adds the Stanley line to their assortment. |
| 1933 |
The Stanley® bottle-manufacturing operation moves from Great Barrington, Mass.
to New Britain, Conn. With the Stanley line fully part of Landers, Frary and Clark,
Harry Badger continues to lead the Stanley line as Chief Product Research and
Manufacturing Engineer. |
| 1942 |
Stanley® bottles are first carried on WWII B-17s, beginning a long history of
use on military aircraft. |
| 1944 - 1949 |
First commercial products are introduced in the Stanley line. |
| 1949 |
Harry Badger retires. John Eza takes over as Chief Product Research and
Manufacturing Engineer. |
| 1949 - 1965 |
Fifteen new items are added to the Stanley Commercial line. The majority of
airlines, railroads, ocean lines, hospitals and other mass feeding institutions
use Stanley products. |
| 1949 - 1965 |
The Stanley® vacuum principle is harnessed to create specialized equipment
for organ transplants and deep-sea exploration as well as the first space probe
to the Moon and Mars. |
| 1953 |
The Stanley® pint, quart and two-quart bottles are updated with a common cup,
collar and stopper streamlining manufacturing and making these products widely
available. The iconic hammertone green product is introduced for the first time. |
| 1953 |
The iconic green Stanley® bottle becomes widely available in department,
hardware and sporting goods stores. |
| 1965 |
The Stanley® bottle operation is sold to Aladdin Industries and relocates
headquarters to Nashville, Tenn. |
| 1967 |
The Stanley® vacuum bottle design is modernized with an insulated
cup and threaded stopper. |
| 1976 |
The Stanley® brand introduces a short, two-quart vacuum bottle and
the brand becomes a regular sight during lunch breaks from coast to coast. |
| 1980 |
A side handle is introduced to the quart bottle improving its handling
and utility. |
| 1985 |
A 24-ounce wide-mouth bottle expands the Stanley® product line and
gives thicker liquids a new way to stay warm. |
| 1988 |
The original bail handle on the Stanley® bottle design is
replaced by a side handle for easier transport. |
| 1995 |
William Stanley, Jr. who was granted 129 patents related to
both electricity and insulation-is inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. |
| 2001 |
Suffering from mis-management and high operation costs, Aladdin Industries
places Aladdin and Stanley brands for sale. |
| 2002 |
Seattle, WA based Pacific Market International (PMI), founded by Rob Harris
in 1983, purchases the Stanley and Aladdin brands. As a brand of PMI, Stanley
product management and design moves to Seattle, WA and manufacturing moves to
Shanghai, China to join PMI's already thriving network of manufacturing facilities. |
| 2005 |
A re-launched Commercial line reconnects the Stanley® brand with its
service industries roots. |
| 2006 |
The Stanley® Outdoor line is introduced taking the brand deeper into backwoods settings. |
| 2009 |
nineteen13-classic gear with current style-is launched for a new generation. |
| 2010 |
The Stanley® Utility collection is introduced, adapting classic designs for serious workday use. |
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