1851 Robert and Benjamin B. Knight began producing textiles by purchasing a mill in
Warwick, Rhode Island.
1856 The name "Fruit of the Loom" is adopted and labels are adhered to
bolts of fabric produced by B.B. & R. Knight Corporation.
1871 "Fruit of the Loom" is registered as a trademark in the United States
Patent office (#418) one year after passage of the first trademark law by
Congress.
1875 The arrangement of three fruits -- an apple, a pear and a cluster of
grapes -- is adopted for a Fruit of the Loom label.
1893 The arrangement of the fruit in the logo as seen today, with an apple,
grapes, gooseberries and a cluster of leaves, is prepared for the World's
Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
1920 On October 1, 1920 Webster Knight sells all the holdings of B.B. & R. Knight
including the Fruit of the Loom Seal to Consolidated Textiles Corporation for
the sum of $18,000,000.
1926 Jacob Goldfarb began the Union Underwear Company in Indianapolis,
Indiana. The Company produced only the pajama check nainsook
"unionsuit”.
1938 Union Underwear Company contracted exclusive licensing rights for
men's and boys' underwear on the Fruit of the Loom trademark from
B.B. & R. Knight Corporation, a popular label already steeped with
consumer confidence.
1975 High visibility ads used "Fruit of the Loom Guys" to stress quality
and comfort.
1976 Fruit of the Loom Inc. purchased the 'BVD' brand for men's and boys'
underwear.
1978 The company launched Underoos® -- a line of decorated children's
underwear that quickly became an important product line.
