George Henry Bass
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“Make the best possible shoe for the purpose it was intended”
1876
On March 9th, George H. Bass begins in the shoe making business in Wilton, Maine.
1887
Bass moves his factory from Wilton, Maine, to Wilson Stream in Farmington, Maine, in order to utilize water-powered machinery for faster production time.
1892
BASS develops the ”National Plough Shoe”, allowing farmers to wear them year-round.
1906
G.H.BASS becomes incorporated. The first BASS moccasin is made, and called the “BASS Moccasin Cruiser”, designed to be worn by woodsmen.
1927
Charles A. Lindbergh wears a pair of Bass flying boots in the first transatlantic flight from New York to Paris, which lasted 33 hours, 30 minutes & 29.8 seconds. .
1928
Over the course of the next 10 years, Admiral Richard E. Byrd wears Bass Boots during 3 expeditions to Antarctica. He was the first to reach both the North & South Pole by air.
1930
Golfer Bobby Jones plays a Grand Slam wearing Bass Sportocassins, winning all of golf's major championships in the same calendar year.
1934
Bradford Washburn wears Bass Boots while exploring the Alaska-Yukon Boundry.
1936
The first penny loafer in history is introduced – Bass Weejuns – named after a Norwegian slipper-type moccasin used for “loafing in the field.”
1948
Bass outfits the American Olympic Ski Team with footwear.
1962-1967
The Weejuns craze sets in, resulting in enormous growth and business. Weejuns are seen as mainstream and part of everyday pop culture.
1982
Michael Jackson wears black Weejuns in the opening of his Thriller music video. This marked the second wave of the “Weejuns craze.”
1989
In spring, the Bass Compass canvas shoe is introduced. By the end of 1990, 1 million pairs are sold, quickly breaking records.
2009 -2013
Bass continues to be a permanent fixture in mainstream culture and amongst celebrities, celebrated by limited edition Weejuns collaborations with Chloe Sevigny For Opening Ceremony, Mark McNairy, Tommy Hilfiger and Rachel Antonoff.
2014
Bass is acquired by G-III Apparel Group, owning and operating 160 stores across the US.
2019
Bass’ signature Weejuns are more in demand than ever, worn by casual and fashion-forward crowds alike. The brand continues to find news way to combine the classics with the contemporary, launching limited edition collaborations with Universal Works. ,Engineered Garments® and Re/Done featuring Paris Jackson as the face of the campaign.
2022
The G.H.BASS signature logo is renewed, channeling a refreshed energy into more contemporary classics. Still crafted with intention, still the same quality that you know and love, now with a little bit of an update to our brand.
