1926–2026

History

American Product Co. was founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 1926. For one hundred years it has been guided by a simple principle: quality products for American families.

1926

The National Hat Company

Cornelius Pell establishes the National Hat Company on the Brooklyn waterfront. Within a decade, National Hat is among the leading hat makers in the United States.

National Hat Company trademark, a brown fedora beside the words National Hat

1958

American Product Co.

Walter Pell acquires Right-O Cigarettes and renames the firm American Product Co.. The Company's rooftop sign becomes a Brooklyn landmark.

Cover of the 1958 annual report: Walter Pell at his desk with a cigarette, four younger executives standing behind him — 1958 Annual Report.

Right-O cigarettes poster with the slogan Get 'Em, Boys! — Right-O advertisement, 1962.

1978

A Diversified Enterprise

Under Douglas Pell, the Company expands into home appliances, spirits, defense electronics, and new media, and moves its headquarters to Fairfield County, Connecticut. Mr. Pell is credited with the invention of flavored vodka.

Cover of the 1978 annual report: Douglas Pell standing in the street in front of the Brooklyn building, his division heads behind him — 1978 Annual Report.

1979 corporate advertisement: Diversity Is Our Strength, with a stand mixer, a whiskey decanter, a missile, and a computer terminal — Corporate advertisement, 1979.

1984–99

A Sharper Focus

The Company divests its defense, spirits, tobacco, and hat businesses in order to concentrate on its core strengths.

2026

A New Chapter

The Company names Roy Price Chief Executive Officer, introduces Jessie, custom audio bedtime stories for grownups, and announces Pepper Nation, a forthcoming subscription service for children's cartoons.