Coolers have become an essential item for any situation where a refrigerator is needed but not available. The famous Igloo cooler brand began creating coolers in 1947, and they are still made in Katy, Texas, today. According to the Igloo website, the coolers are made in a 1.8 million-square-foot, three-building facility.
Truly capturing the individualistic spirit of America, the brand has branched out from the simple cooler to now feature special sizes, prints, and designs so you can make your cooler all your own. To this day, people still have the Igloo Coolers they purchased more than 20 years ago, proving how good quality this product is.
Made in the USA: Post-It Notes
The 3M company did not start making the simple yet life-changing Post-It Notes until 1977. The product was created by accident by 3M employees Art Fry and Dr. Spencer Silver. The two, who were trying to create an aircraft-building adhesive, realized they may have had a new product on their hands.
The handy notes that now demonstrate American creativity and ingenuity have been made in Cynthiana, Kentucky, since 1985. Never in a million years did they think that a small piece of paper, in all colors of the rainbow, would become such a great success and even be copied by other companies.
Made in the USA: KitchenAid Mixers
KitchenAid is known for creating durable, multi-purpose kitchen tools, like their famous stand mixers that come in a rainbow of colors. KitchenAid has been made in Greenville, Ohio, since 1941. Along with the stand mixer, they also make other small appliances. Though the brand outsources a few of its parts from China, its primary manufacturing plants are in South Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
A mixer, in many ways, is the centerpiece of the kitchen. For many years it has been more than just a device that mixes cake ingredients, and the investment in design has been noticeable. Fun fact; did you know that a KitchenAid Mixer can shred chicken, grind meat and spiralize vegetables?
Made in the USA: Hershey’s Chocolate
There's Godiva, there's Cadburys, there's Nestle, and there is Mars, however, none of them is anything like our favorite American candy brand. The Hershey brand has become synonymous with quality Chocolate since 1900. And for well over 100 years, the delicious confection has mostly been made in America, justifying its reputation.
For decades, the American public has enjoyed Hershey’s chocolate bars, chocolate syrup, peanut butter cups, and, of course, chocolate kisses. The Hershey Company does have a handful of production plants in Brazil and Mexico but is still headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania. They also have production plants in multiple U.S. locations.
Made in the USA: Slinky
Intended to be a metal part for warships, the original Slinky toy was first invented in 1943 by Richard James. It is pretty remarkable that an object once created for war became a beloved children’s toy. The invention was hardly a fad and became a highly entertaining toy that has delighted generations. The metal Slinkies were first sold in New York, and today, the plastic Slinkies are made in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, and Plymouth, Michigan.
The Slinky is also named Spring and was the inspiration behind other huge hit toys like the Slinky Train and the Slinky Dog. To this day, the metal (or plastic) spring entertains thousands of children around the world during hours of boredom.