Blair Corporation was founded in 1910 by John Blair.
Mr. Blair originally took up an offer to sell raincoats. After several unsuccessful attempts at selling the coats, he was asked by an undertaker if he had any attractive black raincoats. He didn’t, but it gave him an idea. By taking advantage of the relatively new rubber vulcanization process to adhere an attractive black wool fabric to the outside of a rubber raincoat, with an inner lining of Scottish plaid.
He paid for 1200 raincoats and sold them all within days.
Today, Blair Corporation is one of America’s largest direct marketing mail order retailers, selling clothing and household goods. The company is still in business after more than 100 years.
Orchard Brands acquired Blair in 2007.
Blair catalogs can still be ordered online. Amazon also offers Blair clothing, along with Walmart, and Redbubble.
Blair maintains a corporate office in Warren, Pennsylvania.
