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COVER STORY
Silver Anniversary
Is it true, the more things change the more they are the same? Over
the past 25 years the window coverings industry has, indeed, seen
many changes and, to be honest, many important things have remained
the same. Products, companies and trends change. But success still
comes to those who work at it, providing excellent products, unsurpassed
knowledge and top-notch service.
As Draperies & Window Coverings celebrates its 25th year in
publication, we look back at news and industry events that have
transpired, placing it in context with the industry it serves—and
having a bit of fun, too! We would like to acknowledge and gratefully
thank our readers and advertisers, some of whom have been with us
since the beginning and many others throughout their entire careers.
We make this sojourn to celebrate the achievements of an industry,
not just our own. More importantly, we begin looking ahead to the
next 25 years and the changes they will bring while continuing our
promise to provide news, information and advice for window
coverings and interior fashion professionals. .
1981 - 1985 / The Defining Years
It was a time of firsts. In 1981, the first woman, Sandra Day
O’Conner, was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court; IBM started
making personal computers; and the first designer automobile, the
DMC DeLorean, rolled off the assembly line.
The first issue of Draperies & Window Coverings was printed
mid-year 1981 with a mission to provide news, information and advice
to help the drapery and window coverings dealer operate more successfully.
The following years saw the first annual Directory & Buyer’s
Guide (1982), the first World of Window Coverings™ trade show
(1983), and the introduction of columns and features that remain
stables of the magazine today including Portfolio and Industry Profile.
1981
Already 12 years old (1969)
Somfy/subsidiaries outside Europe builds the groundwork for its
existing network of 45 subsidiaries and 19 offices across five continents.
January: Ronald Reagan is sworn in as president.
Iranian revolutionaries free 53 Americans held hostage for 444 days.
April: The first U.S. space shuttle, Columbia,
lifts off from Cape Canaveral.
May: Hunter Douglas, Inc. announces the development
of a traveling seminar on window coverings.
July: His Royal Highness Charles Philip Arthur
George, Prince of Wales, marries the Lady Diana Frances Spencer.
October: The Industrial Fabrics Association sponsors
the first Window Energy Show in Las Vegas, NV.
December: Jerry Fuchs is named president of Hunter
Douglas Window Products Division.
1982
Vertilux officially incorporates in the
United States (Miami, FL).
January: The National Curtain, Drapery and Allied
Products Association changes its name to Home Fashion Products Association.
April—June: British overcome Argentina in
the Falklands.
June: Alexander Haig Jr. resigns as Secretary of
State.
Equal Rights Amendment fails ratification.
August: Charles E. Kirsch, president of Kirsch
Co., announces his retirement.
1983
Sun Glow Window Covering Products of Canada,
Ltd. introduces the automated vertical louver cutting system.
April: The first annual World of Window Coverings
Expo ’83 is held at the Hyatt Regency, New Orleans, LA.
June: Sally Ride becomes the first U.S. woman astronaut
aboard the space shuttle Challenger.
August: The American Rolling Insulating Security
Shutter Association is formed.
September: Superior Shades breaks ground for Phase
1 of a plant expansion program in Pompano Beach, FL.
October: Terrorist explosion kills 237 U.S. Marines
in Beirut.
U.S. invades Grenada.
November: Hunter Douglas, Inc. and Custom Bilt
Products announce joint partnership.
1984
January: Bell System broken up by court order.
March: Second annual World of Window Coverings
Show is held at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside and Towers, New Orleans,
LA.
May: Soviet Union boycotts summer Olympic
games.
July: Democratic National Convention
nominates Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro.
Marathon Carey-McFall Co. introduces the Bali® MicroBlind™
August: Republican National Convention renominates
Ronald Reagan and George Bush.
September:
World of Window Coverings-West show debuts at the Civic Auditorium,
San Francisco, CA.
November: Kirsch introduces
Continental II curtain rod.
1985 Itaca
fabric collection by Vertilux revolutionizes vertical blinds market.
March: Soviet leader Chernenko dies and is replaced
by Mikhail Gorbachev who introduces the words glasnost and perestroika
into our vernacular.
The World of Window Coverings show opens at the Rivergate Convention
Center, New Orleans, LA.A group of leading manufacturers of Venetian
and vertical blinds and pleated shades agrees to form the American
Window Coverings Manufacturers Association (AWCMA).
April: Hunter Douglas, Inc. acquires Thermal Technology
Corp. of Aspen, Inc., holder of a patent that eventually led to
the Duette® shade.
August: On its 35th anniversary, Lafayette Venetian
Blind, Inc. opens new manufacturing facility.
Also of Note:
* Michael Jackson releases “Thriller” (1982)
* John Belushi dies of drug overdose (1982)
* Vinyl recordings begin steep decline with the introduction of
compact dics (1983)
* “The Cosby Show” debuts on NBC (1984)
* Apple introduces Macintosh personal computer (1984)
* Rock Hudson dies of AIDS (1985)
* Coca-Cola introduces “New Coke” (1985)
1986
- 1990
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