The Filofax UK site has been redesigned and is still undergoing some teething problems. Initially I found it very frustrating to navigate and I had the problem of being charged twice for the same order. However, that was quickly resolved and the new site is now growing on me.
There is a very interesting section at the bottom of the About page. It looks like this:
If you meander around the above, you find gems such as this below:
A VISUAL HISTORY
of Filofax
1910
The beginning
The concept of the personal organiser originates in the US when Canadian engineer, J.C. Parker, invents a system to replace technical handbooks too big to carry.
1920
Lefax launches in England
British Army Officer, Colonel Disney, comes across a Lefax personal organiser in the US and suggests that his friend, London printer William Rounce, launches the product in England.
1921
The name ‘Filofax’ is born
Norman & Hill Ltd is set up by William Rounce and partner Posseen Hill to export Lefax organisers to England. Temporary typist Grace Scurr suggests the organisers should be called ‘Filofax’ – derived from the term ‘file-of-facts’.
1930
Filofax is registered as a trademark
On 27th of November, 1930
1939
Filofax organisers in the miitary
During the war Filofax organisers are standard issue at The Queen’s Military Academy, Sandhurst. In military circles organisers are sometimes known as vademecums – Latin for ‘always with me’.
1940
Grace Scurr saves the company
Norman & Hill Ltd offices are completely destroyed by a stray bomb during the Blitz. Vital company information is saved by Grace Scurr who records the information in her own Filofax and takes it home with her every night.
1975
Pocketfax makes big sales
Husband and wife David and Leslie Collischon set up a company called Pocketfax in the UK to sell Filofax organisers direct to consumers in the UK via mail order. They become Norman & Hill’s biggest customers.
1976
Filofax climbs Mount Everest
The Joint British and Royal Nepalese Army Expedition to Mount Everest is accompanied by Filofax organisers.
1980
Filofax opens new offices
The Collischons buy Normal & Hill Ltd, rename the company Filofax and a new collection of organisers is launched. Filofax opens their new head office at Waverley House, 7-12 Noel Street, London.
1987
In a store near you!
Filofax is retailed in 1250 outlets in the UK.
‘Famous Filofax’ ads are a hit
The ‘Famous Filofax’ advertising campaign is launched in the UK. Filofax is now a £12million operation and is floated on the Unlisted Securities Market.
1988
Filofax acquires Yard-O-Led
The Yard-O-Led Pencil Company – a small, well established silver writing instrument manufacturer based in Birmingham, was purchased from Tim Tufnell in April of that year.
1989
New sizes!
Pocket and Deskfax size organisers launched.
1992
Making a deal
Filofax purchases US rival company, Lefax.
1993
A new size!
A5 size organiser is launched.
1994
Filofax purchases Henry Ling & Son
Filofax purchases greetings card maker, Henry Ling and Son.
1995
Filofax acquires Microfile
Filofax buys Topps of England in order to acquire rival British personal organiser brand, Microfile. FIlofax receives the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement
1996
A night at the museum
Filofax celebrates its 75th Anniversary with an exhibition at the Design Museum, London.
A new size!
Mini size organiser is launched
1998
Filofax is acquired by Day Runner
Filofax is acquired by Californian based Day Runner Inc.
2001
A4 new size!
A4 size organiser is launched.
Filofax is acquired by Letts
Filofax is acquired by Letts Holdings Ltd 1997.
2002
A whole lot more…
First product extensions are launched; bags, briefcases, laptop and PDA cases as well as small leather goods.
2003
A union is made
The Letts Filofax Group is established.
2004
Supporting a cause
Filofax launches a pink organiser in support of the Breast Cancer Campaign charity, donating money from the sale of each organiser to the charity.
2006
Change is in the air
The Letts Filofax Group is bought by Phoenix Equity Partners.
“It’s a Way of Life” campaign launches
‘It’s a Way of Life’ advertising campaign is launched in the UK.
2011
Alice Temperley designs for Filofax
Filofax partners British fashion designer Alice Temperley and launches a collection of personal organisers.
A new collection!
Flex by Filofax notebooks are launched.
2012
Device friendly
Filofax eAccessories are launched.
Filofax joins the Olympics!
Filofax holds the exclusive license to market London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic personal organisers in the UK.
2013
Time for change
The Letts Filofax Group is bought by HSGP Investments.
Supporting a cause
Filofax partners with UK charity, Springboard for Children.
Photography courtesy of Davina Foster & Stephen Carrick-Davies
I am one of those who often criticise Filofax for their forays into fashion, and their faulty ring mechanisms. It is nice to catch a wake-up call now and then and realise that this is a company with a very strong heritage. It give me hope for their future.
Great post! I don’t know that much about Filofax as a brand, so this was really interesting to read.