Joseph Lodge and his wife settled in the town of South Pittsburg, Tennessee in 1896 and there he opened his first foundry. The original name was Blacklock Foundry and was derived from his closest friend and minister. It was a growing business until disaster struck in May of 1910 and it burned to the ground. Lodge moved his foundry a few blocks away and named it Lodge Manufacturing Company.
The great quality of Lodge products carried it through two World Wars and the Great Depression and it is still carried by his family members today.
The foundry was updated in 1950 from a hand pouring operation for each item manufactured to a technological advanced automated molding process. This was a much safer process for the employees and it also helped to keep up with demand for Lodge products.
After two centuries of being in business, the Lodge Logic line of pre-seasoned cookware was introduced for immediate use upon the purchase. This is the industry first that has now become an industry standard in cast iron cookware today.
In 1973, Lodge created its first logo. To replace the O in lodge, a cast iron skillet frying a single egg off center was added to the label. This iconic symbol has had a few changes over the years but continues to be quickly identified as the Lodge logo for American made products. In 1996, Lodge celebrated 100 years of business and added a laurel wreath on the outside of the skillet with the years 1896 to 1996 on it. In 2011, a bright yellow banner was added to the original logo and in 2016, the logo celebrated 120 years in business with the 0 in 120 represented by the skillet cooking an egg and the years in USA business at the top of 1896 to 2016.
On the rise of popularity of television cooking shows, Lodge started importing beautiful and vibrant colors from China. The elegant L-Series was introduced in 2005, earning greatly positive reviews from Fine Cooking and Good Housekeeping magazines, test kitchens and individual customers. These colored exteriors are still available in Lodge Dutch Ovens in several colors from which to choose, such as a beautiful blue.
In 2011, Lodge launched two new cookware lines. Lodge Elements collections combines stainless steel cookware with a cast iron skillet all in one set. The Lodge Seasoned Steel line of products features carbon steel skillets made in the USA and seasoned at the factory.
Due to the innovation of the board, Lodge has grown throughout the years by leaps and bounds to represent one of the finest and well-known products-cast iron cookware.
All of Lodge cookware is easily identifiable today and it was when it was originally made. The classic teardrop handle has never changed from the original design and the logo is always in yellow, black and white with the egg frying in the skillet.
When you buy Lodge cast iron products, you are supporting a USA manufactured product that will outlast your lifetime and be a valuable family heirloom for many generations to come.
Two centuries in business?