Black Manufacturing Company

Woman using an industrial Singer sewing machine at Black Manufacturing Co, Seattle, ca 1927

The Black Manufacturing Company was a clothing manufacturer that produced the Black Bear brand of overalls as well as mackinaws and overcoats; George G. Black was the proprietor. ^[1] In 1914, Black had a building designed by Andrew Willatzen built for the company in Seattle. The business continued until 1982. ^[2] The company's building is an official Seattle landmark and has been used by Dairygold. ^[2]

Isham F. Norris worked at the company. ^[3]

Signage for the company featured the slogan "Black Bear Means Long Wear". A 1941 catalog survives. ^[4]

The Black Bear brand has been relaunched by Josh Sirlin. ^{[5] [6] [7]}

References

1. "Workers catch a break on a Seattle factory roof". The Seattle Times. August 31, 2008.
2. "Seattle Landmarks: Black Manufacturing Co. (1914)". www.historylink.org.
3. "African American Legislators". sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com.
4. "1941 BLACK BEAR Brand Vintage Workwear Catalog Overalls Clothing Seattle USA | #499293989".
5. "Seattle Man Revives an Early 1900s Clothing Line". Seattle Magazine. December 6, 2017.
6. "History/Resurrection". Black Bear Union.
7. "REVIVAL OF A BRAND: Interview with Josh Sirlin from Black Bear Brand". Pipeburn. November 20, 2019.