100 Years Series: L.L. Bean

Welcome back to the final edition of the 100 years series! So far we've visited Steelcase, Girl Scouts and Oreos - all national organizations with rich histories and a determination to stay relevant and beneficial for another 100 years...and then some. Today's organization fits right in to this category...literally.

L.L. Bean is a well known shoe and clothing line for the outdoorsy type. However, this should not deter you from checking out some amazing products that have been providing warmth and protection from the elements to its owners since 1912. It originally started with the Maine boot that Leon Leonwood Bean invented in 1911. In 1912, L.L. Bean launched by sending a mailer out for "novel hunting shoes" - this led to their first 100 orders. Within 5 years they branched out into clothing - a hunting jacket to go with the hunting boot - and their mail order company began to thrive!

Some other notable events:

• They patented the Maine Hunting Shoe in 1921 after modifications by Winfield A Given were made
• In 1928, Ernest Hemingway recommended L.L. Bean hunting boots in a letter to a friend
• In 1960, Ted Williams (baseball legend) sends L.L. Bean a letter offering to buy the company. L.L. declined the offer.
• The Coty Award - "fashion's oscar" (1975) goes to the Allagash Hat (amongst other items).
• 1976, L.L. Bean got it's own zip code
• In 1995, llbean.com launched
• In 2010, online orders eclipsed catalog orders for the first time.

To find out more information on L.L. Bean's history (or to go shopping for some boots!), click here!

I hope you've enjoyed the heritage and history of some great American organizations. Though there are quite a few others that have turned 100, as well (check out wiki for a bigger list), we wanted to share in the celebration we're having with Steelcase with a few favorites. Did we miss one you really liked? Leave a comment and I'll try to do a history check for next week.

100 Years Series: OREO

Good Morning and welcome back to the 100 Years Series. Just to catch up, we are celebrating one of our favorite vendor's - Steelcase - 100 Year Anniversary (which we're celebrating Nov. 8th with great party - contact us for more information!) by looking at their past and future. They've achieved so much and have such a great theme. If you haven't seen it yet, check out there site: http://100.steelcase.com/.

After talking about Steelcase in week 1, we visited one of my favorite childhood memories - the Girl Scouts. Their history is rooted deep in tradition and respected what the girls and women of the world can do. Read last weeks post for info and then check out some facts about them here: http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/

This week we visit what we're told is "Milk's favorite cookie". Oreo was made by Nabisco (a division of Kraft foods) in 1912 at the Chelsea Factory in NYC. The name was trademarked on March 14th, 1912.

The original design was set to look like a wreath  with the name "oreo" in the center. The newer design we see today was created in 1952 by William A. Turnier.

Did you know the Oreo Cookie has been renamed a few times? Originally, it was the Oreo Biscuit. In 1921, it was renamed the "Oreo Sandwich". In 1948, it was called the Oreo Creme Sandwich only to be changed in 1974 to the Oreo Chocolate Sandwich. Now, as far as I can tell, we call them Oreo cookies.  

Over the years, Oreos have been keeping busy. They've become international (mostly in the last 10 years) with great success. They changed their size (mini oreos, double stuf'd oreos), added some flavors (Neapolitan oreos, green tea, strawberry), they even got into baked goods and ice cream. And they continue to be a favorite as they market to the next generation of kids and adults.

For more information, I highly recommend checking out the Wiki site - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oreo - and then visiting Oreo's online http://brands.nabisco.com/Oreo/birthday/. Play some games, share your birthday, take a pic of yourself dunking and oreo old school style...and do what their slogan says: "celebrate the kid inside".

Oreo, we wish you a very happy 100th birthday and look forward to many, many more!

~ Kendal

100 Years Series: Girl Scouts

Welcome back to our 100 years series that looks at a handful of great organizations that are hitting 100 years in 2012. Last week, we covered Steelcase (one of our favorite vendors) and gave a brief over of their history and awesome firsts!. Today's organization...Girl Scouts! Who are celebrating "the year of the girl".

As a girl scout member from 1989-1994 (troop #316 from Milford, CT, representing!), I have fond memories of camping and silly songs and crafts. Marching in the parade and learning about assembly lines and teamwork. It was a fun and rewarding experience and one that I cherish and hope to offer future generations. But the history and motto of the organization, as well as its evolution and continued effort to provide more options and education to girls is truly wonderful.

"Girl Scouts is dedicated to every girl, everywhere". - probably my favorite quote from the website

I am taking the rest of my information from their website: http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/facts/ - there is waaay to much information to share, and so I highly recommend taking time to go through it yourself. But here are the general facts:

Girl Scout Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

100 Years
Founder Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout Troop on March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Ga.

An American Institution
Girl Scouts of the USA was chartered by the U.S. Congress on March 16, 1950.

Still Growing Strong
Today, there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts—2.3 million girl members and 890,000 adult members working primarily as volunteers.

Empowering Girls
In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

At Home and Abroad
Girls at home and abroad participate in troops and groups in more than 92 countries through USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and over 100 local Girl Scout councils offer girls the opportunity for membership across the United States.

An International Family
Through its membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Girl Scouts of the USA is part of a worldwide family of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries.

A Pivotal Part of Women's History
More than 59 million American women enjoyed Girl Scouting during their childhood—and that number continues to grow as Girl Scouts of the USA continues to inspire, challenge, and empower girls everywhere.

 Such an amazing organization and one which will continue to change the lives of girls everywhere!