Amscan's corporate site hasn't been updated much in the way of history since the last time I wrote about it, however, I found additional information on the company and its founder from other sites.
Despite the corporate site's "About Us" stating "Our founders were American and Scandinavian…hence AMSCAN", the only founder I was able to identify was Elvera Svenningsen who started the business with $1,000 out of the family garage. Elvera was married to Anders Svenningsen, clearly a Scandinavian name. Maybe Elvera was "American", although no mention is made of Anders playing a role in the company. Elvera was an importer of honeycomb party decorations and "expendable turkeys"; I'm assuming the paper kind.
Amscan was eventually taken over by Elvera's son John who operated it until his passing in 1996. John's children were not interested in the company, so it was taken over by employees who took the company public. It has since expanded and even purchased Party City in 2005, the company that was once it's biggest customer.
Can you imagine you have $1,000 and a dream to now owning Party City.
ReplyDeleteQuite the accomplishment.
Deleteyeah, that's really amazing. and i'm assuming they meant "exPANdable turkeys," haha -- although they definitely were also expendable.
DeleteInteresting bit of history here.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is but I really enjoy these type of honeycomb fold-out decorations.
ReplyDeleteIt's that crinkling sound they make when you open them.
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