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Seeing the success of the Clark mill, another Paisley man started a similar enterprise in 1826. James Coats, a weaver, brought a sound knowledge of fine yarn twisting to the thread business. He prospered and built a small factory. Upon his retirement in 1830, his two sons, James and Peter, took over the company, which became J. & P. Coats.
Around this time Clark's thread was introduced to the women of America, brought from Britain by sailing captains.
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Before the invention of the sewing machine by Elias Howe in 1860, all thread was for hand sewing. It had a glazed finish and was too wiry and stiff for machine sewing. George Clark developed a six-cord, soft finished thread, the first suitable for the sewing machine which revolutionized the thread industry. He called it "Our New Thread" which became known as O.N.T., the famous trademark for the Clark Thread company.
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Edison tried a carbonized thread, his notebook reads... "No. 9 ordinary thread Coats Co. cord No. 29, came up to one half candle and was put on 18 cells battery permanently at 1:30 AM. This bulb burned for thirteen and one half hours and was the sign that at last they were on the right track."
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The Coats' and Clarks' interests were consolidated, although both companies retained their separate identities. Two years later, The Spool Cotton Company became the sole selling agent for both companies. The merchandising association continued until 1952.
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Even though there was much overlap and common ownership in the two companies, they were independent until 1931 when the two firms elected a single president, John B. Clark.
First southern mill constructed in Austell, Georgia. In honor of the Clark family, the Town of Austell was changed to Clarkdale. Over the next 20 years, mills were added in Toccoa (1937), Pelham (1943), Albany (1947), Thomasville (1947).
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In 1941 Coats & Clark becomes a national sponsor for the 4-H Club program. John B. Clark was the highlight of National 4-H Club Congress for many years. Coats & Clark sponsored the Clothing & Textile project and also the national poster contest.
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New fibers, fabrics and finishes created a demand for a new thread. Coats & Clark, known for its research and development, introduced Dual Duty Plus®. Unlike cotton thread, Dual Duty Plus® thread could be used on natural or synthetic, knit or woven fabrics.
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The variety of fabrics for home sewing in the 70's included the "new" synthetics - polyester and double knit requiring new sewing techniques. The Feminist movement and women entering the workforce meant not as many were sewing clothing at home.
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In a unique marketing effort Coats & Clark Sponsored NASCAR Driver Dale Jarrett, and created a commemorative racing thread pack. Jarrett hoped to have a trip to Victory Lane "sewn up".
Categories
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1
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2
The Beginnings
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3
Clarks gets into the business
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4
Inventions & coming to America
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5
Thread-making inventions
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6
Thread cabinets
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7
Edison Uses Coats Thread
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8
Trade Cards
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9
The Spool Cotton Company
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10
Manufacturing goes South
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11
Zippers
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12
4-H Club sponsor
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13
Officially Coats & Clark
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14
Dual Duty Plus
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15
Spools & sewing fashions
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16
NASCAR Sponsorship
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17
80s and 90s innovation
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18
Dual Duty XP launch
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19
Our 200th anniversary