Of all government suppliers, only Eddie Bauer was granted permission to affix his company logo to his products used by the United States Army. The parka was designed to keep pilots warm at high altitudes. More than 50,000 parkas were manufactured for airmen during World War II. In 1942, the United States Army Air Corps commissioned Eddie Bauer to develop the B-9 Flight Parka. Bauer received over 20 patents on various outdoor clothing and sporting equipment between 19. In 1940, Bauer patented the first quilted goose down-insulated jacket in the United States: and introduced it in his store as 'The Skyliner'. He attempted to offset the bulkiness of down by quilting a down jacket. He then began trying to develop alternatives to heavy wool garments used by outdoorsmen at the time. While on a winter fishing trip in Washington, Eddie Bauer developed hypothermia. While operating this first store, Bauer developed his creed, 'To give you such outstanding quality, value, service and guarantee that we may be worthy of your high esteem', still used by the modern company. The Bauer Shuttlecock popularized badminton in the United States.

Bauer developed and patented a standardized shuttlecock in 1934.

Bauer expanded his line of merchandise to include his own hand-made golf clubs and fishing tackle and he changed the name of his store to 'Eddie Bauer's Sport Shop'. He first specialized in building and repairing tennis rackets and the shop was only open during the tennis season Bauer spent the rest of the year pursuing his own sportsman activities. In 1920, at the age of 21, Eddie Bauer, established his first store in downtown Seattle, 'Eddie Bauer's Tennis Shop', in the back of a local hunting and fishing store. History An Eddie Bauer store at Hamilton Corner in Chattanooga, Tennessee Eddie Bauer in Toronto 1920–1949: Eddie Bauer's Sport Shop In 2021, it was acquired by Authentic Brands Group and SPARC Group LLC. On June 17, 2009, Eddie Bauer filed bankruptcy and was acquired by Golden Gate Capital the following month. In 2003, Spiegel filed bankruptcy and in May 2005, it emerged from bankruptcy under the name 'Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc.'. General Mills bought the company in 1971 and Spiegel acquired it from General Mills in 1988. Bauer retired and sold the company to his partner in 1968. The company was the first independent company that the United States Army allowed to use a logo on the Army-issued uniform. In 1940, Bauer patented the first quilted down jacket.

The company was established in 1920 in Seattle by Pacific Northwest outdoorsman Eddie Bauer (1899–1986).

The company also selectively licenses the Eddie Bauer brand name and logo for various products sold through other companies including eyewear, furniture, bicycles, and, up until the 2010 model year, upper level versions of Ford Motor Company's Bronco, Explorer, Expedition and Excursion SUVs. Eddie Bauer is also a minority participant in joint ventures in Japan and Germany that include retail stores, catalogs, and websites. In addition to the three sales channels, the company operates a distribution and fulfillment center in Groveport, Ohio an IT facility in Westmont, Illinois and a distribution center in Vaughan, Ontario. Its flagship store is in Bellevue at Bellevue Square. Eddie Bauer sells its merchandise via retail stores, outlet stores, and online and via phone, with a call center in Groveport, Ohio. Eddie Bauer, LLC is an American clothing store chain headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

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