He found the light-W.C. Coleman

Synonymous with innovations in camping equipment, the founder of Coleman Camping was once a struggling law student in search of a better reading light.  In 1900 he literally stumbled across it coming from a store in rural Alabama.  The light was so white and brilliant that even he could read by it.  He knew he could sell this product to others and bought the store's entire inventory.  In 1901 he purchased the remaining stock and the patents from the Efficient Lamp Company and went about to perfect their pressurized gasoline mantel lantern.  By 1914 the Coleman lantern, essentially the same model we all know today, was in production and at the end of 1920, sales had gone from 120 to over 50,000. 

Next came the two burner stove that could be easily packed  and provided the even, clean heat when preparing meals that campers were accustomed to in the homes . The Coleman Company had grown and now had their own sales, research and development divisions and were on their way to becoming a major force in the outdoor activities market. 

Coleman survived the depression era by adapting and building oil stoves and heaters which were inexpensive to operate and many folks relied on them to make it through those tough times.   But the greatest accomplishment over the next decade occurred during World War II when Coleman produced the G.I. pocket stove.   It was lightweight and could operate on virtually any fuel.  The stove was a huge success and over a million were manufactured for the military.  Coleman's pocket stove is said to be the single most important piece of non-combatant equipment ever produced for the war.

In the 1950's and 1960's Coleman became the outdoor gear industry leader.  We all remember the family's forest green Coleman Cooler, first in metal, and now the virtually indestructible polyurethane.  The rise in popularity of outdoor activities was never a problem to the Coleman Company as they have always been innovators and at the forefront of camping equipment and outdoor gear technology .  Today Coleman Camping produces more than 300 separate items and continues to lead the industry with award winning designs and bullet-proof products....and all this from a young man in search of a better reading light more than a hundred years ago.  

Coleman products at  American Backyard

About the Author:   Lou Catalano is an author and publisher of http://www.camping-equipment-direct.com.  A source of information, articles and suppliers of the latest in camping equipment and outdoor gear.