Patagonia

During the second half of the first millennium, the Tehuelche people migrated to Patagonia. They were nomadic hunter-gatherers who relied on guanacos and ñandus for survival.

Ferdinand Magellan is credited with officially 'discovering' Patagonia in 1530, although there were likely explorers before him. The region got its name from the description of 'patagones' or great giants of men.

British Aristocrat Lady Florence Dixie became the first official tourist to visit Torres del Paine National Park in 1879. She arrived with a group and later published a book about her adventures entitled 'Across Patagonia.'

Yvon Chouinard begins his climbing career at the age of 14 after learning rappelling in Southern California. He starts making his own pitons for climbing, leading to the foundation of Patagonia in the future.

Yvon Chouinard and his wife established Patagonia, a highly disruptive and innovative consumer-product company, following his creation of climbing tools in 1957.

Yvon Chouinard partners with Tom Frost to create a high-end climbing piton called the Realized Ultimate Reality Piton (RURP), enabling them to complete challenging climbs in North America.

In 1970, Yvon Chouinard obtained rugby shirts from Scotland that he wore while climbing, leading to the incorporation of these shirts into Patagonia's product line.

In 1973, Yvon and Malinda Chouinard established the renowned outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, known for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Patagonia employees protest to save a surf break, leading to the formation of the Friends Of Ventura River group. This marks the brand's initial step into environmental activism.

Patagonia introduces its iconic logo featuring a silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy, symbolizing the brand's connection to the Patagonia region and commitment to outdoor activities.

Kristine Tompkins assumed the role of CEO at Patagonia in 1979, leading the company until her retirement in 1993, contributing significantly to the brand's growth and ethos.

In 1981, Patagonia and Chouinard Equipment were incorporated within Great Pacific Iron Works, which was later renamed Lost Arrow Corporation by Chouinard in 1984.

Patagonia transitions from polypropylene to polyester base layers, introducing Capilene fabric for improved performance. This shift proves successful with increased sales.

Patagonia commits to donating 10% of profits to environmental groups, showcasing the brand's dedication to environmental conservation and sustainability.

Patagonia launches its first national environmental campaign focusing on deurbanizing Yosemite Valley. The brand also introduces H2NO waterproof fabric for jackets.

Patagonia initiated its inaugural environmental campaign aimed at educating the public.

Patagonia pioneers the use of fleece fabric made from recycled bottles, reducing the environmental impact of its products and promoting sustainability.

Patagonia decides to transition to using 100% organic cotton by 1996 after discovering the negative environmental impact of pesticides used in conventional cotton production.

Patagonia opens a new distribution center in Reno, implementing energy-efficient features like solar-tracking skylights and radiant heating, leading to a 60% reduction in energy use.

Patagonia became one of the founding members of the Fair Labor Association, emphasizing fair labor practices.

Patagonia joins the Fair Labor Association after participating in President Bill Clinton's No Sweat Initiative, aiming to improve working conditions in the supply chain and becoming a founding member of FLA.

Patagonia introduced a recycling program allowing customers to recycle their clothing in retail stores.

Patagonia reduces the number of factories by 50% to ensure high standards in worker treatment and appoints a Social Responsibility Manager to address social compliance issues in the supply chain.

In 2007, Patagonia initiated the process of tracing the environmental and social impact of their products, aiming to increase transparency and accountability in their supply chain.

In 2009, Patagonia started investigating their suppliers for labor trafficking, demonstrating their commitment to ethical sourcing and labor practices.

Patagonia initiates the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to promote environmentally friendly practices in the apparel industry and creates a new role of Director of Social and Environmental Responsibility.

In 2011, Yvon Chouinard, the founder of Patagonia, launched the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, a collaborative effort to promote sustainability and responsible practices in the apparel industry.

Patagonia reintroduces the Synchilla Snap-T Pullover and becomes the first company in California to acquire benefit corporation status, maintaining its mission-driven approach.

In 2013, Patagonia started the $20 Million & Change fund, aiming to invest in environmentally and socially responsible businesses, reflecting their commitment to supporting sustainable initiatives.

In 2014, Rose Marcario was appointed as the CEO of Patagonia, a renowned outdoor clothing company.

In 2015, Patagonia encouraged its customers to repair their clothes instead of purchasing new ones, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

In June 2016, Patagonia released a set of principles regarding the treatment of animals used in manufacturing wool garments, as well as land-use practices and sustainability.

On December 6, 2017, Patagonia sued the United States Government and President Donald Trump for reducing the protected land of Bears Ears National Monument, arguing about the interpretation of the Property Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

In 2018, Patagonia took legal action against President Trump's decision to reduce the size of Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, demonstrating the company's commitment to environmental conservation.

In 2019, Patagonia was honored with the title of UN Champion of the Earth, recognizing its significant contributions to environmental conservation and sustainability.

In April 2020, Patagonia made a commitment to pay in full for production orders that were in process or completed, demonstrating their ethical business practices during challenging times.

In July 2020, Patagonia suspended its advertising on Facebook and Instagram as part of the 'Stop Hate for Profit' campaign, protesting against the social networking company's handling of hate speech.

In September 2020, Rose Marcario announced her departure as the chief executive officer of Patagonia, with Ryan Gellert set to succeed her.

On April 5, 2021, Patagonia pledged $1 million to activist groups Black Voters Matter and the New Georgia Project in response to voter registration laws in Georgia.

In September 2022, Yvon Chouinard transferred ownership of Patagonia to the Patagonia Purpose Trust, aiming to utilize profits for climate change initiatives and land protection.