COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 3999

Manufacturing Industries

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

19companies1913–1991founding years19still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe Clorox Company
1913
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedHallmark Cards, Inc.
1923
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedAMETEK, Inc.
1930
FoundedW. H. Brady Co.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedAARP
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedStuart Entertainment Inc.
1948
FoundedBIC CorporationFoundedEnesco Corporation
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedRuss Berrie and Company, Inc.FoundedWindmere Corporation
1963
FoundedHelen of Troy Corporation
1968
FoundedArmor Holdings, Inc.
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedBlyth Industries, Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedInternational Game Technology
1980
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedSpecialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedTriMas Corp.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedMidway Games, Inc.
1988
FoundedSunbeam-Oster Co., Inc.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

The Clorox Company →
Active · founded 1913
Although best known for the household bleach that bears the firm's name, The Clorox Company is a diversified…
Hallmark Cards, Inc. →
Active · founded 1923
Hallmark Cards, Inc.
AMETEK, Inc. →
Active · founded 1930
AMETEK, Inc.
W. H. Brady Co. →
Active · founded 1939
W.
AARP →
Active · founded 1947
AARP (The American Association of Retired Persons) is a not-for-profit association with 33 million members, a…
Stuart Entertainment Inc. →
Active · founded 1948
Stuart Entertainment Inc.
BIC Corporation →
Active · founded 1958
BIC Corporation is the country's leading manufacturer of disposable ballpoint pens and cigarette lighters.
Enesco Corporation →
Active · founded 1958
A designer, manufacturer, and wholesaler of giftwares and collectibles for over 35 years, Enesco Corporation has become…
Russ Berrie and Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1963
Russ Berrie & Company, Inc.
Windmere Corporation →
Active · founded 1963
Windmere Corporation is a leading manufacturer and distributor of personal care and seasonal products, such as hair…
Helen of Troy Corporation →
Active · founded 1968
Named for the most beautiful woman in classical mythology, Helen of Troy Corporation commands an industry-leading 35…
Armor Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Prior to 1997 Armor Holdings, Inc.
Blyth Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Blyth Industries, Inc.
International Game Technology →
Active · founded 1980
International Game Technology (IGT) is the world's leading designer and manufacturer of video slot machines, blackjack,…
Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc., is a leading designer and manufacturer of cooking, refrigeration, and sanitation…
TriMas Corp. →
Active · founded 1986
TriMas Corp., through its diversified subsidiaries, is a leading manufacturer of fasteners, towing systems, specialty…
Midway Games, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Midway Games, Inc., is one of the world's leading producers of video games.
Sunbeam-Oster Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1989
Sunbeam and Oster are consumer brand names recognizable from coast to coast, and by all generations of Americans.
Powerhouse Technologies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Powerhouse Technologies, Inc.
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