A BRIEF HISTORY OF COLEMAN

1900-1905 WC Coleman establishes a lighting service in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. He buys the patent for the Efficient Lamp and sets out to design an even better lantern. At the same time, he moves to Wichita, Kansas, to expand his territory – and starts to manufacture his own lamps.

1915 The redesigned lantern proves so popular that the US government declares it an ‘essential item’ of World War One. More than 70,000 are distributed across the nation, providing light to help produce items critical to the war effort.

1950s After World War Two, Coleman focuses on the outdoors. Americans become increasingly interested in recreation, travelling by car to see the country. Roadside parks and campsites pop up everywhere. The company manufactures a plastic cooler, the first of its kind, which changes the whole industry. That basic design is still in use today.

1980s In the Eighties Coleman introduces batterypowered lighting. The company continues to manufacture a wide variety of camping equipment and sells it around the world. In 1995 the 50 millionth Coleman lantern is produced.

2000s Coleman celebrates its centennial. It continues to produce the stoves, lanterns and cool bags the company is renowned for. The range has since expanded to include tents, sleeping bags, camping furniture, airbeds and Event Shelters.

2016 Coleman introduces a patented technology called BatteryLock, to prevent battery corrosion and power drain, even over long periods of time. It works by disconnecting the battery with a simple twist.