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An Inside Look at an Outdoor Icon
Former L.L.Bean president Leon Gorman (center) in training for the 1990 Mount Everest International Peace Climb
The story of L.L.Bean is ever evolving. But the outdoors has always been at the heart of it. Explore over 100 years of L.L.Bean history in our timeline below.
1911
Leon Leonwood Bean invents the Maine Hunting Shoe.
“L.L.” returned from a hunting trip with cold, damp feet and a revolutionary idea. By combining leather uppers with rubber bottoms, he created an innovative boot that changed footwear forever.
1912
L.L. promotes his boot in a mailer to out-of-state sportsmen.
But L.L. did not meet with immediate success. The bottoms and tops separated, and 90 of the first 100 pairs were returned. L.L. sent refunds, corrected the problem and sent more mailers.
1921
Admiral Donald MacMillan outfits Arctic expedition with L.L.Bean Boots.
“My men are very enthusiastic over their experience with your foot equipment on our last Arctic Expedition, finding it extremely practical, especially for fall and spring work,” he wrote.
1924
L.L. introduces his iconic Field Coat.
Originally called the Maine Duck Hunting Coat, it was an instant favorite with hunters.
1927
L.L.Bean catalog judged best in the country.
L.L.’s circulars evolved into a real catalog, judged #1 by Postage magazine. L.L. was awarded $25.
1933
Eleanor Roosevelt makes a surprise visit to the Freeport store.
The First Lady proved a tough sell, resisting the impulse to buy fishing boots for her husband. But L.L. wouldn’t let her leave empty handed, presenting her with a trout knife for the president.
1934
Zipper Duffle debuts.
Featuring a breakthrough device called the “hookless fastener” (aka “zipper”), the duffle became an L.L.Bean mainstay.
1937
Despite the Depression, L.L.Bean sales top $1 million.
L.L.Bean didn’t merely survive the Depression – it boomed. Durability had a lot to do with the company’s success, as did the advent of paid vacations and more time spent outdoors.
1941
Duck decoys make their way into the catalog.
After claiming he “could whittle a better-looking bunch of decoys than that mess we’re using,” L.L.’s shipping clerk George Soule was tasked with the job. He went on to sell thousands a year.
1942
L.L. writes Hunting, Fishing and Camping.
With a parade of customers seeking his advice on pursuing big game, waterfowl and fish, L.L. wrote a book to share his nearly 50 years of experience.
1944
The Ice Carrier (aka Boat and Tote) launches.
Originally designed to haul ice and wood, the tote’s simple yet timeless design earned it a place as a style icon. Still made here in Maine.
1951
Freeport store opens 24 hours a day.
L.L. came up with the idea to accommodate visiting sportsmen who would drive all night to get an early start the next morning. “We have thrown away the key to the place.”
1951
Ladies’ Department opens.
The women’s showroom opened after L.L.’s daughter-in-law, Hazel, and wife, Claire, convinced L.L. that women needed something to do while their husbands shopped for fishing tackle.
1960
Leon Gorman, L.L.’s grandson and future L.L.Bean president, is hired.
Leon Gorman was hired as a clothing buyer at $80 a week. But he was drawn to the salesroom, waiting on customers and learning everything he could.
1960
Hand-tied flies and a lure from L.L.Bean’s fishing department in the 1960s.
1960
Vintage L.L.Bean snowshoes from the 1960s.
1965
The iconic Norwegian Sweater first appears.
Inspired by the heavyweight sweaters “used by Norwegian fishermen who require unusual durability and warmth,” the sweaters developed an instant following.
1967
L.L. passes away at age 94.
The company receives 50,000 condolence letters and the store closes in his memory.
1967
Leon Gorman becomes company president.
Following the death of L.L., Leon Gorman took over as L.L.Bean’s president, leading the company through rapid growth, expansion and modernization.
1979
Outdoor Discovery Schools launch.
The program began with a winter clinic in Freeport, Maine, and over the years has expanded to include dozens of activities and locations.
1984
Retail Store remodeled – complete with trout pond.
A 25,000-square-foot addition provided more space to showcase the expanding assortment of outdoor gear. The centerpiece was an indoor pond stocked with Maine brook trout.
1987
“Sunrise over Katahdin” logo is revealed.
After the company donated the land around Katahdin Lake to Baxter State Park in Maine, it introduced its Katahdin logo – symbolizing the beauty of the outdoors.
1990
L.L.Bean sponsors and outfits the Everest Peace Climb.
Featuring climbers from the US, China and Russia, the climb aimed to demonstrate that the world’s superpowers could work together to accomplish great things.
1992
First L.L.Bean store opens in Japan.
By the early 1990s, busloads of Japanese tourists were making the pilgrimage to Freeport daily. To serve this new market, L.L.Bean opened three retail stores in Tokyo.
2000
First US retail store outside of Maine opens.
Located in McLean, Virginia, the 75,000-square-foot store had ample space to display most of the product assortment. Many smaller stores soon followed.
2001
Chris McCormick becomes the first nonfamily member to lead L.L.’s company.
Chris is recognized for playing a key role in launching L.L.Bean’s international business, website and credit card program.
2006
L.L.Bean commits to building all new structures according to LEED standards.
L.L.Bean formalized its commitment to environmentally sound building practices.
2007
Leon Gorman Park opens.
As part of its 95th anniversary celebration, L.L.Bean donated this park to the town of Freeport. Town officials chose the name to honor Freeport’s long-standing relationship with Gorman and L.L.Bean.
2010
Leon Gorman receives the Bowdoin Prize Award.
Bowdoin College’s highest honor, the award recognized Leon Gorman’s distinguished career as a business leader, conservationist and philanthropist.
2012
L.L.Bean celebrates 100 years – and rolls out the Bootmobile.
L.L.Bean made donations totaling $2.5 million, all in the spirit of enjoying the outdoors. It also introduced the Bootmobile – a 20-foot-long replica of the L.L.Bean Boot, which travels the country.
2013
Shawn Gorman becomes Chairman.
Shawn Gorman – great grandson of company founder L.L. – replaced Leon Gorman as L.L.Bean’s Chairman of the Board. Leon was named Chairman Emeritus. In 2016 Shawn was named Executive Chairman.
2015
Leon Gorman passes away at the age of 80.
Leon died on September 3, 2015. He is fondly remembered for his love of Maine, his extensive philanthropy and his remarkable leadership.
2015
Stephen Smith takes the helm.
Upon Chris McCormick’s retirement, Stephen Smith was named the fourth President and CEO of L.L.Bean.
2016
Participation in L.L.Bean’s Outdoor Discovery Schools passes 150,000.
What began with a single clinic in 1979 has grown to include an activity for everyone – kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, kids’ camps, adventure trips, fishing and much more.
2017
“Be an Outsider” tagline is unveiled
Our tagline celebrates the aspects of the outdoors that are accessible to all – its restorative power, ability to bring people together, and boundless capacity for joy. Because, as declared in our brand manifesto, “you don’t need a membership to belong” in the great outdoors.
2017
Our mobile kiosk – The L.L.Bean Outsider – hits the road.
Hauled by a matching pickup truck, the 24-by-7-foot trailer tags along with the Bootmobile as part of our annual College Tours. Packed with cool products, the team and vehicles head off to college campuses to offer students relevant product like fleece and Bean Boots – and plenty of crowd-pleasing fun and games.
2019
Bean Boots hit Canadian shelves for the first time.
Our Bean Boots were made available in stores in Canada for the first time, as well as on a new dedicated Canadian e-commerce site. We partnered with Toronto-based distributor Jaytex Group on the Canadian expansion, including wholesale distribution and retail expansion.
2020
What can we say?
The global pandemic brought about changes and challenges like never before in our company’s history. For the first time ever, we installed locks and closed the doors to our 24-hour Flagship location in Freeport, Maine. Guided by our century-old belief in always putting people first, we immediately halted production of our Bean Boots and Boat and Totes and began making 350k face masks for our healthcare community. Our fulfillment center started packing food, instead of flannels, in partnership with local food banks. And, as a record number of people reconnected with the outdoors, we were happy to make their adventures easier, safer and more comfortable, whether it be an afternoon on the porch, the pursuit of a new outdoor hobby, or an ambitious family hike.
2020 also brought about new ways to do business, including our first-ever wholesale partnerships with beloved brands, Staples, Nordstrom, Zappos and SCHEELS, and a new collaboration with renowned designer Todd Snyder.