Under what name was Timberland originally founded?

Timberland was originally founded under the name Abington Shoe Company.

The company’s roots go back to 1933, when Abington Shoe Company was established near Boston, Massachusetts. Shoemaker Nathan Swartz bought a half-interest in 1952 and later acquired full control, bringing his sons into the business. For many years, Abington primarily produced footwear for other brands.

The company’s breakthrough came when it developed waterproof leather boots using injection-molding technology. In 1973, it introduced the boot branded “Timberland,” and the product became so successful that Abington stopped focusing mainly on private-label manufacturing. The company was formally renamed The Timberland Company in 1978.

A common mix-up is treating 1973 as the company’s founding date. That is the year the Timberland-branded boot appeared; Abington Shoe Company existed decades earlier. Nathan Swartz is generally credited with building the business that became Timberland.