The History of the Sharpie

Sanford Manufacturing Company Founded

Jan 1, 1857

Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded by by Frederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford in Massachusetts. They initially focused on making glue.

Sanford moves to Chicago

Jan 1, 1866

5 years later, the Great Chicago Fire destoryed the facilities. New buildings were soon built and operations resumed.

Headquatrers Relocated

Jan 1, 1900

Sanford Headquarters were relocated to down town Chicago

Name Change

Jan 1, 1940

Sanford Manufacturing Company becomes Sanford Ink Company

Sanfrod Relocates

Apr 10, 1947

Sanford relocates to Bellwood, Illinois

Sharpies Invented

Jan 1, 1964

Sharpies were invented by the Sanford Manufacturing Company.

Extra Fine Point Sharpie Added

Jan 1, 1979

Brown, Green, Blue, Sharpie colors added

Jan 1, 1979

Originally only black Sharpies existed

Going Public

Jan 1, 1985

Sanford goes public

Sharpie Ultra Fine Point added

Jan 1, 1989

Sharpie Popularity Soars

Period: Jan 1, 1991 to Jan 1, 1997

Popularity sources because of the growing memorbilia industry.

Sanford is bought

Feb 14, 1992

Sanford is bought by Newell Rubbermaid,

Multiple new colors added

Period: Jan 1, 1997 to Jan 1, 2002

Sharpie Sponsors the NASCAR Sharpie 500

Jan 1, 2002

12 New Colors added

Period: Jan 1, 2002 to Jan 1, 2005

6 New Product Lins Launched

Period: Jan 1, 2002 to Jan 1, 2005

Over 200 Million Sharpies sold

Dec 31, 2002

Retractable Tip Sharpie Created

Jan 1, 2004

Sharpie Mini Created

Jan 1, 2005

The Sharpie Mini is half the size of a usual Sharpie and comes on a key chain.

Accent highlighter added to the Sharpie line up

Jan 1, 2005