1964
The North Face started as a small retail and mail order operation, in San Francisco, by Doug Tompkins with $5,000
name chosen because the north face of a mountain is generally the most formidable to climb, i.e., the north face of the Eiger
sells own brand outdoor gear, eg., sleeping bags labelled ‘Made for The North Face by Sierra Designs.’
1967
Doug Tompkins sells The North Face's two stores (also Palo Alto) for $50,000 to brothers Glen and Arne Hiersoux
1968
Dick "Hap" Klopp buys three TNF retails store, with designer Justus Bauschunger as a minor shareholder
Jack Gilbert employed (stays for 20 years)
move to Berkeley, and with a few sewing machines manufactures the first TNF gear in the back of the store.
1969
the Sierra parka hits the market and becomes a classic in down outerwear.
1970
The North Face factory opens in Berkeley, CA. Credence Clearwater Revival serenade while rehearsing next door
Mark Erickson employed, later becomes head of product development
patented Ruthsac released, precursor to internal frame rucksacks - pre-curved parallel staves and load lifter straps
1974
Morning Glory tent is introduced
catalog promotes the use of solar power
1975
Bob Gillis shows his geodesic dome tent idea to TNF, he and Mark Erickson work to commercialise the design
Easton Aluminium offers to adapt archery arrow shaft tubing into tent poles for the product
the Oval Intention, first geodesic dome backpacking tent design debuts, also first to use flexible aluminium poles
The North Face inaugurates Ice Nine Award for the entity contributing most to ecological destruction.
1976
Back Magic pivoting hipbelt external frame pack released (or was it in 1972 ?)
Big Foot synthetic sleeping bag using Polarguard shingle construction
1978
the VE-24 tent unleashed embodying R. Buckminster Fuller's theory of sphericity maximum efficiency with minimum materials
1979
introduce overlapping shingle construction for synthetic sleeping bags
1981
acquire the Holubar brand from Johnson Worldwide
1982
introduce Stowaway: lightweight 2 layer Gore-Tex jacket and overpants that folded into their own internal zippered pocket
1983
Extreme Gear ski clothing introduced
acquire a manufacturing plant in Glasgow, Scotland
begin producing Euro focused product line for European outdoor industry
1984
employs 800 staff, sells into 700 speciality stores
20% of annual sales ($40 million USD) coming from own retail outlets (17 in total, including Holubar brand stores)
Scottish factory staff doubles to 110 people
export to 22 countries, with manufacturing licence agreements in Japan, Canada and Australia
largest producer of down sleeping bags in the USA
1985
Mountain Gore-Tex jacket is introduced (its black shoulder patches would define a generation of outerwear)
1987
Tadpole tent hatched
Snow leopard pack launches onto the backpacking market
Windy Pass economy line developed to test quality of Far East manufacturing, before moving TNF brand 'offshore'
1988
Mountain Light jacket introduced
sales exceed $50 million USD
expedition integrated ski clothing system developed
company was acquired by Bill Simon’s Odyssey Holdings,oner of 30 outdoor brands
Erickson resigns, to later start Erickson Outdoors, a design and manufacturing consultancy
Jack Gilbert resigns, later to be CEO of Sierra Designs, And Mountain Hardwear
1989
The North Face is a co-founder of the Outdoor Industry Conservation Alliance
designed special polar clothing and equipment for the six nation Trans Antarctic Expedition
1991
Steep Tech ski clothing, designed by Scot Schmid released
develop No-Hitch-Pitch tent pitching system
1992
debut Radial Baffle Construction of down sleeping bags
1993
introduce Polarguard HV (high void) insulation for synthetic sleeping bags
paremt company, Odyssey Holdings, Inc. (OHI), files for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
1994
Company purchased by private consortium of Whitney & Co., Cason, and William McFarlane, at public auction for $62 million
incorporated as The North Face, Inc.
1995
Vaporwick fabric unveiled
Climbing magazine rates Mountain Tent, the best two-person expedition tent
1996
Tekware, technical sportswear/travelwear line launched
Polarguard 3D insulation provided as an intitial TNF exclusive
acquires A-5 Adventures, Inc., makers of big wall climbing gear
sales of $158.23 million USD, distributed to 840 US retailers who have about 1,200 retail stores,
25 'Summit Shops' shop within shops
518 employees, including staff in nine own US retail stores
1998
Backpacker magazine bestows company with Silver Service Award for 25 years of innovation, citing Oval Intention tent
1999
TNF Footwear launched
2000
Company, (with annual revenues of about $240 million, yet on verge of bankruptcy) acquired by VF Corporation
The North Face now