Thorogood 1957 Flyway 8 Waterproof Moc Toe Hunting Boots for Men

At the age of 27, Albert H. Weinbrenner opened a cobblery in Milwaukee with partner Joseph Peffer in 1892, serving the "Jobbing" trades. Four years later, in 1900, the Albert H. Weinbrenner Co. was officially formed. The company's first catalog was printed in 1916, and it had more leather cutting machines than any other in the U.S. at the time.

In 1917, the "Job-fitted" concept was introduced, and Weinbrenner became a major contributor of boots to the U.S. Army during World War I. The company took its first steps into safety footwear production in 1938 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in business in 1942, shifting to all-military footwear production for the duration of World War II, creating combat and dress styles that also became popular with civilians.

The company's workers organized under the International Boot & Shoe Workers Union in 1943, but the management and workers maintained an outstanding relationship that continues to this day. In 1964, the company introduced the "Hike n' Camp" - the Official Boy Scout Boot, featuring a wedge sole and moccasin-style stitching, which became the company's best-selling boot of all time and is still available in its original design.

In 1988, the company was purchased by a local group, including six employees, and the "ThoroGard" division was created, featuring high-tech occupational safety footwear. Weinbrenner celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1992 with the theme "A Century of Lasting Quality."

The company's employees took ownership through an ESOP in 2000, and in 2001, within three days of the September 11 attacks, Weinbrenner donated 300 pairs of durable work boots to Ground Zero, followed by another 200 pairs. The "1892 Heritage" line of handcrafted, lifestyle boots was introduced in 2014, built on the iconic No. 60 last.

Weinbrenner celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2017, demonstrating a renewed commitment to upgrading and improving its domestic facilities, machines, equipment, manufacturing methods, and computer systems/programs. In 2022, the company celebrated 130 years with the opening of a new factory in Merrill, WI and the launch of its first western wear product, Thorogood's Square Toe Wellingtons.

As Thorogood gains popularity and expands with many new styles on the horizon, Weinbrenner's sales continue to increase in 2023.

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