History of Columbia Sportswear
Columbia Sportswear was founded in 1938 by Paul and Marie Lamfrom, German immigrants who fled Nazi
Germany and settled in Portland, Oregon. They initially established the Columbia Hat Company, a
small hat distributor. The business eventually passed to their daughter, Gert Boyle, and her husband
Neal. After Neal's sudden death in 1970, Gert took over as president, becoming a symbol of grit and
resilience. Under her leadership, the company transformed from a modest family business into a
global outdoor apparel giant.
Columbia Sportswear gained popularity through its innovative
products, especially its Interchange System jacket, which allowed users to adapt to different
weather conditions by zipping layers together. The company also became known for its humorous “Tough
Mother” advertising campaign featuring Gert Boyle herself. Over the decades, Columbia expanded its
product lines to include footwear, equipment, and accessories, and it now operates in over 100
countries. Today, the company remains headquartered in Portland and continues to be guided by the
Boyle family legacy.