COMPANYHISTORIES
SIC 2392

Housefurnishings, Except Curtains & Draperies

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

5companies1903–1957founding years5still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedEkco Group, Inc.
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedThe Tranzonic Cos.
1946
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedPillowtex Corporation
1954
FoundedFab Industries, Inc.
1955
FoundedCrown Crafts, Inc.
1957
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Ekco Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1903
Ekco Group, Inc.
The Tranzonic Cos. →
Active · founded 1946
The Tranzonic Cos.
Pillowtex Corporation →
Active · founded 1954
With nearly half a billion dollars in sales in 1996, Dallas-based Pillowtex Corporation is a leading manufacturer and…
Fab Industries, Inc. →
Active · founded 1955
Fab Industries, Inc.
Crown Crafts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Crown Crafts, Inc.
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