Lodge Cast Iron Skillet

Lodge Logic L10SK3 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet

The Lodge Manufacturing Company was founded by Joseph Lodge in 1896 in South Pittsburg, Tennessee.  It is still a family owned business.  Great for bacon.

American Apparel T-shirt

American Apparel Unisex Fine Jersey Short Sleeve V-Neck X-Small-green

American Apparel is a super-hip vertically-integrated clothing company located in downtown Los Angeles, California.  They make great clothes for kids, women, and men.  Dov Charney, the founder, has been selling t-shirts since he was in high school.  His company has grown into the largest garment factory in the US and has stores in over 20 countries.   

Pendleton Blanket

Pendleton Yosemite National Park Full Blanket

Pendleton Woolen Mills operates the last woolen mills in the United States.  The manufacturing of Indian blankets at the mill in Pendleton, Oregon dates to 1895.  The current company was started in 1909 by the Bishop brothers:  Clarence, Roy, and Chauncey.  Pendleton still makes Indian blankets, for example, Pendleton Blanket: Chief Joseph Robe - Dark Green.   

Filson Packer Hat

  

Filson Tin Cloth Packer Hat

This hat is great in the rain.  C. C. Filson started his eponymous company in 1897 in Seattle, Washington to supply the Great Klondike Gold Rush.  Check out the Cruiser Jacket and Mackinaw Cap among their other items still made in Seattle.  The cap reminds me of Elmer Fudd... really Robin Williams impression of the wabbit hunter.

Sub-Zero Refrigerator

Sub-Zero BI-36U Over-and-Under Refrigerator/Freezer

Westye F. Bakke founded Sub-Zero in 1945 in Madison, Wisconsin.  Sub-Zero is famous for their built-in refrigerators.  Unique to Sub-Zero are separate compressors for the freezer and refrigerated sections.

Boetje's Mustard

 

Boetjes Mustard (Economy Case Pack) 8.5 Oz Jar (Pack of 12)

"Beginning in 1889, Fred Boetje began making stoneground Dutch mustard in his garage in Rock Island, Illinois. Using the same recipe today of water, mustard seed, sugar, salt and distilled vinegar, Boetje's tops all mustard sales in the local retail market. It even outsells the big three-French's, Kraft and Plochman-by 7 to 1. In a survey by Illinois Magazine published in its July 2002 issue, Boetje's was voted to be the "Best Illinois food product" in Northern Illinois. Most recently Boetje's Mustard won the 15th annual World Wide Mustard Festival in the Coarse Grained Mustard grouping." -- Boetje's website

Kitchen Cooked Potato Chips

 

Original Potato Chips

Extremely good extra-crunchy chips from Farmington and Bushnell, Illinois.  Kitchen Cooked has been making chips since the 1930's. 

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

KitchenAid KSM158GBCA 90th Anniversary Limited-Edition 5-Quart Stand Mixer, Candy Apple Red

This is the epitome of macho cooking.  At 325 Watts, it has all the horsepower you could want.  These bad boys are made in Greenville, Ohio.  KitchenAid was started in 1919 by the Hobart Corporation, a maker of industrial mixers. 

Boos Block Cutting Board

John Boos RA03 24-by-18-by-2-1/4-Inch Reversible Maple Cutting Board

The best cutting board you can find.  Conrad Boos started  John Boos & Co. in Effingham, Illinois in 1887.  He named it after his son.  They are also famous for their butcher blocks.  This item is made from American northern hard rock maple. 

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The Wagoneer is the "Ur" SUV. Nothing that has come after is as authentic: masculine but not brutish, classy but not flashy. Brooks Stevens came up with this enduring design. It was in production from 1962 to 1991. Being 20+ years old (they get driven hard too) means a Wagoneer probably needs some attention. You'll find lots of friendly advice at the International Full Size Jeep Association. If you aren't inclined to do the work yourself Leon Miller's Wagonmaster in Kerrville, Texas sells restored Grand Wagoneers.  Image courtesy of productioncars.com.

Viking Range

 

VDSC536-6B Viking 36" Sealed Burner Dual Fuel Range with 6 Burners - Stainless Steel

Fred Carl, Jr. came up with the Viking range because he and his wife wanted a professional style range suitable for home use.   It combines the power and durability of a commercial range with the safety and efficiency of a home range.   Viking Range makes all of their major appliances in Greenwood, Mississippi.  The revitalization of Greenwood is an interesting read.   

Wiffle Ball

Wiffle Ball

David Mullany invented the plastic ball that curves in 1952. Who hasn't felt the thrill of smacking one into the bleachers, outfield, or onto the neighbor's roof? The Mullanys continue to run the The Wiffle Ball, Inc. company. Their products are manufactured in Shelton, Connecticut.

Weber Grill

 

Weber 741001 22.5-Inch One-Touch Silver Kettle Grill, Black

It's not summer unless you're grilling brats out on the Weber. George Stephen wanted a grill that would cook with an even flame in all types of weather. He invented what became known as the Weber kettle grill in 1952. The Weber headquarters is in Palatine, Illinois. All their charcoal grills are made in Huntley, Illinois.

Estwing Hammer

Estwing E16S 16-Ounce Straight Claw Leather Handle Hammer

Estwing Manufacturing Company makes striking tools in Rockford, Illinois. Ernest O. Estwing founded the company in 1923. Made from a single piece of steel this hammer features a fine leather handle. I also like the curved claw hammer, especially if I have many nails to pull.

Klipschorn Speaker

Klipsch Klipschorn Three-Way Speaker System with Klipsch's Legendary Folded Horn Driver (Walnut, Single Speaker)

Paul W. Klipsch introduced this incredible speaker in 1946 and it has been in continuous production since. The Klipschorn's exceptional efficiency means it can fill a very large room with plenty of sound with a modest amount of power. It is the grand-daddy of Klipsch's Heritage line of speakers: La Scala, Cornwall, Heresy. All of the products in the Heritage series are handmade in Hope, Arkansas.

Fisher Space Pen

Fisher Space Pen, Bullet Space Pen with Clip, Chrome, Gift Boxed (400CL)

Paul Fisher, wishing to improve upon his universal pen refill, invented the anti-gravity cartridge in 1965. The engineering is quite interesting.  "After much experimentation he perfected a refill using thixotropic ink-semisolid until the shearing action of the rolling ball liquefied it-that would flow only when needed. The cartridge was pressurized with nitrogen so that it didn't rely on gravity to make it work. It was dependable in freezing cold and desert heat. It could also write underwater and upside down."  The original AG7 model is actually used in space missions by both the US and Russia. The Bullet is a popular compact model.  The Fisher Space Pen Co. and manufacturing are in Boulder City, Nevada.

Letter Locker Mailbox

Residential Non-Locking Letter Locker Mailbox Black

I dare any rotten kid to play mailbox baseball against this guy.  Twelve gauge steel  guarantees the home team wins.  Letter Locker mailboxes are manufactured in Apple Valley, a town in the southern California high desert.

New Balance Running Shoes

New Balance Men's MR993 Running Shoe,Grey

New Balance in the only manufacturer still making athletic shoes in the US. In fact, 25% of their shoes are made in America.  The 993 is the latest in the 990 series and are noted for their comfort and durability.  These are the shoes that Steve Jobs famously wears when introducing the newest products from Apple.  The original 990 came out in 1982 after 4 years of research.  New Balance also was the first company to make running shoes in widths.