| 1888 |
|
The R.W. Sears Watch Co., the first catalog
issued by Richard Sears featured watches and jewelry. |
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| 1889 |
|
Evolution of the company involved various
catalogs including "The Warren Company" and the
"A.C. Roebuck & Company." Catalogs produced
for these companies. |
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| 1893 |
|
First Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog. |
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| 1894 |
|
Catalog expands from watches and jewelry to
include sewing machines, sporting goods, musical
instruments, saddles, firearms, buggies, bicycles, baby
carriages, and some clothing. |
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| 1896 |
|
Spring and Fall catalogs began.
First specialty catalogs appear.
Size of catalog increases from 6x9 inches to 8x11
inches.
Groceries introduced.
Hand cranked washing machines introduced.
Encyclopedia Britannica introduced. |
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| 1897 |
|
First color section appears. Features
shoes in black, brown and red.
Edisons Graphophone introduced. |
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| 1904 |
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Customer Profit Sharing program begins.
Customer purchases are rewarded with a Profit Sharing
Certificate, which was redeemed for selected items. |
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| 1905 |
|
"Iowazation" plan begins,
Sears asked customers to distribute catalog to friends and
neighbors.
School desks introduced. |
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| 1907 |
|
Customer Profit Sharing discontinued. |
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| 1908 |
|
Catalog homes introduced.
Richard Sears retires from company. |
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| 1909 |
|
Sears motor buggy introduced. |
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| 1910 |
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Electric washing machines introduced. |
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| 1911 |
|
Sears Testing Laboratory begins operating.
Sears "Auto-cycle" motorcycle introduced. |
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| 1912 |
|
Silk stockings introduced.
Motor buggies (cars) discontinued. |
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| 1913 |
|
First specialty catalog for automobiles. |
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| 1914 |
|
Private Electric Lighting Plants introduced
which provide electricity for the home or farm. |
|
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| 1916 |
|
Sears "Auto-cycle" motorcycle
discontinued. |
|
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| 1925 |
|
First retail store opens. |
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| 1927 |
|
First of two Norman Rockwell paintings that
appeared on the cover of Sears catalogs. The painting is
on the Spring cover and features a couple looking for
engagement rings.
"Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back"
banner appears. |
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| 1928 |
|
Craftsman tools introduced. |
|
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| 1929 |
|
Kenmore laundry equipment introduced. |
|
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| 1930 |
|
Mail order chicks introduced. |
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| 1931 |
|
First and only year a paid advertisement
appears in catalog. Two advertisements, one for Chevrolet
motor vehicles and the other for the Curtis Publishing
Company. |
|
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| 1932 |
|
Second of two Norman Rockwell paintings
that appeared on the cover of Sears catalogs. This
painting was titled, "At Work on his Washington
Essay" which was made for the Washington
Bicentennial. |
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| 1933 |
|
First Christmas Catalog. |
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| 1940 |
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Easy Payment Plan introduced. An early buy
on credit program. |
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| 1941 |
|
Sale of groceries discontinued.
Sale of items such as Coldspot Refrigerators and
Silvertone Radios discontinued for the duration of the
Second World War. |
|
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| 1942 |
|
Allstate Insurance company offers war
damage insurance. |
|
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| 1948 |
|
Silvertone wire recorder, radio and
phonograph entertainment system introduced. |
|
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| 1949 |
|
Television sets introduced.
Homart dishwasher introduced.
Silvertone hearing aid introduced. |
|
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| 1957 |
|
Automatic electric garage door opener
introduced. |
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| 1966 |
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The Sears Allstate Radial tire introduced. |
|
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| 1968 |
|
Phrase "Wish Book" first appears
on Christmas catalog.
Diehard batteries introduced. |
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| 1969 |
|
Catalog selected as part of time capsule in
Texas. |
|
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| 1971 |
|
Kenmore trash compactor introduced.
Kenmore Microwave oven introduced. |
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| 1985 |
|
Split catalog idea begins. Catalog split
between soft lines, which are offered in Spring and Fall,
and the Hardlines, which only are in one catalog. |
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| 1989 |
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Toll free 1-800 number introduced. |
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| 1993 |
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The "Big Book" catalog was discontinued. The Specialty Catalog Group was formed. |
