The following article is copied from an original document housed at the Bartholomew County Historical Society in Columbus, Indiana. Author and date unknown.
In the spring of 1940 B.F. Hamilton conceived the idea of a Knock-Down Stool as being greatly needed for economical merchandise. Approximately eight months were spent developing and tooling our first model of kitchen stool of knocked down construction. This was similar to our present regular enamel stools with and without back.
When samples were submitted to our then present customers, S.S. Kresge Company, F.W. Woolworth Company and principal hardware jobbers throughout the United States, the interest shown was outstanding and the acceptance was unanimous. Production on the semi-tubular constructed stool began late March 1941. From that time on we have not been able to meet the demands for our stools. Production constantly increased until developments in World War II necessitated our discontinuing manufacturing stools, because by the middle of 1942 our facilities were converted to the manufacture of goods for the armed forces.
In 1941 the S.S. Kresge Company purchased from us in excess of 50,000 stools, however, according to our understanding, the records indicated that in previous years they had never sold more than 5,000 stools combined of all other makes. F.W. Woolworth Company had never merchandised kitchen stools of any type but purchased and sold Cosco Stools in staggering quantities. The reason that these two chain groups, and subsequently others were so successful with the sale of Cosco (our registered trade mark) Stools was because the unique and simple construction enabled us to ship it knocked down in a carton one fourth the size of a stool set up, and they in turn immediately discovered that customers were thrilled with the opportunity of purchasing such an attractive product so easy and enjoyable to assemble. Jobbers from coast to coast also discovered that the Cosco Stool was the most practical and best money making stool ever available to them.
At the close of World War II we redesigned the all steel semi-tubular constructed stools and we developed stools of tubular construction and some models of step stools. The result of this was a complete line of metal stools consisting of regular kitchen stools, step stools and bar stools available in both enamel and chrome plated finishes, some models combined the two finishes and some models being upholstered. The Cosco Line was developed so that all models except step stools could be shipped knocked down as well as set up. Of course, because of the weight and const___ step stools it proved more practical to ship assembled. Originally eight models were created. A ninth has more recently been added and it is planned that the Cosco Line will include others as conditions permit.
From the manufacturing standpoint it is remarkable that although we shall soon be producing nine different models of stools, only approximately three complete sets of tools and dies are required because the legs, bands, seats and other parts are so that they can be interchanged on different models.
When the Cosco Line was shown to merchandising trade the consensus was, and it has been proven, that the Hamilton Manufacturing Corporation not only manufactures the only complete line of metal stools, but the products are the most eye-appealing, sturdy, safe and comfortable stools, attractively and practically packaged.
Without exception when Cosco Stools are shown in any buying market buyers from loading stores everywhere, buyers of jobbing companies, exporters, premium users and manufacturers' agents exclaimed that the Cosco Line is the most outstanding merchandise, surpassing any stool or other company at the present. Ever since the Cosco Line has been shown in markets and advertised, in addition to hundreds of inquiries from dealers, we have been flooded with letters from jobbers, exporters, salesmen and manufacturers agents all over the United States and in other countries to whom we supply stools, such as J.C. Penny, Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and W. F. Grant and Company contact us frequently endeavoring to purchase stools.
Intelligent buyers realize that one great advantage that Hamilton Manufacturing Corporation has over any other manufacturer of stools is that the Cosco Line is our principal and only product, however, competing manufacturers of stools, as a general rule, make other products and manufacture of stools is more likely than not a side line. Buyers readily see that from Hamilton Manufacturing Corporation they can purchase on one order from one company their entire stool requirements. Large companies can purchase stools of assorted models in carload quantities, therefore, by their dealing with one source they can purchase much more economically, and when the merchandise is on display they have a line harmoniously styled in a range of prices from $1.95 to 14.95 suitable to everybody's needs. The finishes are the highest quality obtainable on merchandise of this type.
Cosco Stools are advertised nationally to the trade. Weekly an add appears in Retail Home Furnishings, the accepted publication by buyers of department, furniture, appliance and hardware stores. In various issues during the year we advertise in House Furnishings Review, a magazine subscribed to generally by department stores, and National Furniture Review, a publication generally subscribed to by furniture stores. We have been told that every desirable store in the United States is well acquainted with the Cosco Line. By personal contact and through the mail we intend to maintain this enviable standing with our customers. All of our sales are direct to retailers. Our principal chain accounts are Sears Roebuck and Company, F.W. Woolworth Company and S.S. Kresge Company. Approximately 30% of our sales go to these chain organizations. The balance of our sales are to such accounts as L.S. Ayres and Company, The Wm. H. Block Company, Banner-Whitehill, Inc. and Vonnegut Hardware Company of Indianapolis, Indiana; Wolf and Dessauer of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Stewarts Dry Goods Company of Louisville, Kentucky, John Shillito Company of Cincinnati, Ohio; Marshall Fields, Mandel Brothers and Wieboldt Stores, Inc. in Chicago, Illinois; J.L. Hudson Company and Crowley-Miller Company in Detroit; the Higbee Company and The May Company in Cleveland; F.R. Lazarus and Company in Columbus, Ohio; Gimbel Brothers, Joseph Horne Company in Pittsburgh; Jordan Marsh Company, Boston; Gimbel Brothers, R. H. Maoy Company, Bloomingdale's, and Hearnes Department Store, Inc. in New York; Abraham and Straus, Inc. in Brooklyn; L. Banberger and Company in Newark; Strawbridge Clothier Company and Gimbel Brothers in Philadelphia, John Wanamaker Company in New York, N. Snellenburg and Company, Inc., Lit Brothers in Philadelphia; Stewart and Company, Hutzler Brothers and Hecht Brothers in Baltimore; Lansburgh and Brothers, The Hecht Company and Hub Furniture Company in Miami, Maas Brothers, Inc. in Tampa, Florida; Foley Brothers in Houston, Texas; The Fair in Fort Worth, Texas; J.L. Brandeis and Sons in Omaha, Nebraska, Emery Bird Thayer Dry Goods Company in Kansas City, Missouri, Stix, Baer and Fuller Company, Inc., Famous Barr and Scruggs-Vandervoort-Barney, Inc., in St. Louis, Gimbel Brothers and Ed Schuster and Company in Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Boston Store in Milwaukee, The Dayton Company and Powers Dry Goods in Minneapolis, Minnesota; the Emporium of St. Paul, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota, Denver Dry Goods and The May Company in Denver, Colorado, Z.S.M.I. in Salt Lake City, Utah, Frederick and Nelson in Seattle, Washington, Mayer and Frank Company, Inc. in Portland; O'Conner, Moffatt and Company in San Francisco, California, and May Company in Los Angelos, California.
Almost all department stores in the United States and a great number of furniture and house furnishing stores belong to resident buying organizations. We enjoy the full support and backing of the most reputable resident buying companies. Those through whom we have the Cosco Line listed and sold are Associated Merchandising Corporation, Cavendish Trading Corporation, Allied Purchasing Corporation, May Department Stores and Co., Inc., Mutual Buying Syndicate, Retailers Marketing Guild, Syndicate Alliance Trading Corporation, Charles Weill, Inc., Kirby, Block and Company and Nat Gavender, Inc. These resident buying companies have repeatedly told us that the Cosco Line is not only the most outstanding line of stools ever available to them but one of the most outstanding and most saleable products that they have ever had the pleasure of making available to their members.
There is no doubt but that we sell all leading stores everywhere. A large percent of our accounts carry, or will carry, and feature Cosco Stools exclusively. Department, furniture and hardware stores consistently advertise Cosco Stools in local newspapers throughout the country. The Cosco Stools are sold to leading department stores in Eastern and Western Canada. They are exported to Mexico, South Africa, Cuba and the West Indies. As soon as production permits, they will be shipped into South American, European, Australian and Asiatic markets.