A Brief History of SharpieFrederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford, Jr. founded the Sanford Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts, producing ink and glue.The company expanded and moved its operations to Chicago.After surviving the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Sanford’s factory was destroyed by another fire. By 1900, the company had rebuilt its headquarters in downtown Chicago.For its 70th anniversary, Sanford commissioned Norman Rockwell to create an advertising painting. The ad appeared in magazines with the tagline: “It’s lucky for you, child, your Gran’dad wrote this will with Sanford’s Ink!”Sanford continued to grow, relying on quality products and strong distribution even during the Great Depression. In 1940, the company was renamed Sanford Ink Company.Sanford entered the marker market with the introduction of the Sharpie® marker—the first pen-style permanent marker. It wrote on almost any surface, from glass and wood to plastic and metal. Early celebrity endorsers included TV hosts Johnny Carson and Jack Paar.Sharpie expanded its line with the Extra Fine Point marker, available in four colors.Sharpie’s popularity soared in the 1990s, fueled by the $5 billion memorabilia industry. Fans and celebrities alike used Sharpie markers to sign everything from posters and trading cards to sports jerseys.Five new Sharpie markers debuted, along with a wider range of colors. By 2002, more than 200 million markers had been produced—enough for nearly every U.S. household to own two. Sharpie also launched successful sports sponsorships, including PGA golfers and NFL player Terrell Owens, whose 2001 Sharpie celebration generated millions in publicity.Sharpie became the title sponsor of NASCAR’s Sharpie 500 and sponsored driver Kurt Busch.Six new product lines and 12 additional colors were introduced, expanding the Sharpie palette to 24 bold shades. In 2005, Kurt Busch helped rename Shelbyville, Tennessee, “Sharpieville USA” for a day, celebrating the brand’s 40th anniversary.Today, Sharpie is more than a marker—it’s a tool for self-expression. Made to write on, stand out, and stay on practically any surface, Sharpie is the permanent marker for unique, bold, and courageous creativity. We are the original. The genuine article. The cultural icon.
