Jesse Shwayder
For years, Jesse Shwayder worked at the Seward Trunk & Bag Company selling suitcases and learning about the industry. By 1910, having learned everything he could about the luggage business, Shwayder and his brothers had saved enough money to open their own trunk enterprise, and established Shwayder Brother's Incorporated. Early on, the business made folding card tables and furniture under the "Samson" brand, named after a Biblical character. Shwayder, a devoutly religious man, would later require all company executives to carry the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have done unto you) engraved on a golden band.
In 1939, with advances in technology and greater demand for convenience, the company introduced a sleekly-designed suitcase he named "Samsonite", featuring a tapered shape and a vulcanized fiber covering. The Samsonite brand quickly became a huge success, and in 1965 the Shwayder Company changed its name to Samsonite, after its best-selling product.
After a successful career, Shwayder retired in 1960, and passed away 10 years later. His son, King David, took over as company president.
In 1939, with advances in technology and greater demand for convenience, the company introduced a sleekly-designed suitcase he named "Samsonite", featuring a tapered shape and a vulcanized fiber covering. The Samsonite brand quickly became a huge success, and in 1965 the Shwayder Company changed its name to Samsonite, after its best-selling product.
After a successful career, Shwayder retired in 1960, and passed away 10 years later. His son, King David, took over as company president.
