Look around your campsite and chances are that at least one product you have on hand is made by Coleman. After 120 years in business, you’ll find Coleman gear wherever there are friends, coolers, and campfires—on the trail, by the lake, at a tailgate, or in the middle of a music festival.
There just aren’t too many brands that can conjure up an image quite like this iconic brand.
Leading Provider
Ever since the world was introduced to the first gas-powered lantern by William Coffin (W.C.) Coleman, the company has become a leading provider of outdoor camping gear and equipment. While you may be familiar with the Coleman name, you may not know its history. In the 1880s, W.C. Coleman, a traveling typewriter salesman at the time, took a late-night walk when a gasoline-powered lamp caught his eye. The lamp provided just enough light for him to read a book and inspiration struck. In 1900, he introduced the world to his version of the gas-powered lantern that would pave the way for Coleman becoming what it is today.
Moved to Wichita
After great success selling his lanterns, he moved the business to Wichita, Kansas. There, he bought the rights to the Efficient Lamp and later modified it into the product that put the brand on the map—the Coleman Arc Lamp. In 1905, the first evening football game west of the Mississippi was lit by Coleman lanterns. While that was certainly groundbreaking, Coleman products proved to be vital during both World Wars.
World War I
Coleman created over a million lamps for farmers to produce food supplies during World War I. The U.S. government deemed the Coleman lamp essential for war supplies. The U.S. government requested the first camping stove that Coleman designed and manufactured for military use. The requirements specified the stove be no larger than a quart-sized bottle of milk, operate in the temperature range of -60 to 125 Fahrenheit and burn any type of fuel. The first batch ordered was 5,000 stoves, but Coleman ended up producing over 1 million for war use.This famous stove goes by the name G.I. Pocket Stove. The renowned World War II journalist, Ernie Pyle, wrote a handful of articles around how valuable the Coleman stove was for the war effort.
In 1954, Coleman introduced the plastic-lined ice chest that became another key product, allowing consumers to easily clean the interior of the ice chest by removing the liner. This eventually led the brand to design its current line of hard and soft coolers and was when Coleman made the decision to cater solely to the outdoor market. A line of tents, outdoor chairs and sleeping bags swiftly followed. Since then, they have become key categories for the brand, which has expanded to offer every camping essential, from canopies and cots to air beds and sleeping pads. Coleman continues to launch new products and innovate all the time.
“Every product we launch gives a nod to Coleman’s 120-plus years of brand heritage,” says Jim Pisani, CEO of Newell Brands Outdoor & Recreation Division (the parent company of Coleman). “I look at the Coleman PEAK1 as the perfect example of the journey ahead for this great brand. This collection was designed for the adventurous spirit that aspires to have durable and inspiring gear. The stove delivers so many great benefits, such as slim design, easy clean and matchless lighting, making it perfect for people who are serious about getting outside. This is just one example of Coleman’s endless commitment to honor the past and reimagine a better outside for everyone.”
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