History of Columbia Sportswear
What probably only the fewest know: The roots of the American outdoor company Columbia are in Augsburg, Bavaria. In 1937, the Lamfrom family fled from NAZI-Germany to the American West Coast to Portland, Oregon. Once there, they founded the Columbia Hat Company, named after the nearby Columbia River. Daughter Gertrude (Gert) and her American husband Neal Boyle also joined later the family business. After the sudden death of her husband, Gert took over the management of the Columbia Sportswear Company. For decades, the tough single-mom Gert, later also together with her son Tim, led the company and made Columbia one of the most successful outdoor brands in the world. In November 2019, Gert Boyle passed away at the age of 95. She remains vividly remembered by many through numerous humorous commercials and campaigns with her likeness.