The company was founded in 1946 in
Ward, Colorado, by Gerald "Gerry" Cunningham, a veteran of the
10th Mountain Division. Initially it was a mail order business providing lightweight equipment for mountaineers. In 1950, Cunningham developed the triangular
carabiner, Less than five years later, he also invented the drawstring clamp also known as a cord clamp or
cord lock. In 1959, the company created a very compact survival suit for the US Air Force. Gerry expanded into outerwear and produced some of the first lightweight down jackets. In 1971, Cunningham resigned from the company, saying it was "too big and no fun". Through 1980, the company offered a collection of innovative and brightly colored down garments, which sold well worldwide. But within a few years the company's products largely disappeared from the retail market. Later, the Gerry brand was owned by the Amerex Group Inc., a
New York–based privately owned clothing manufacturer which owned several brands. In 2002, Amerex created the Gerry website and announced a number of
sponsorship programs. Cunningham died May 15, 2010, at his home in
Patagonia, Arizona (born February 17, 1922). In 2010, the Gerry brand was bought by Studio Ray, of
New York City which revamped the catalog, which included their classic outerwear and accessories. In Fall 2012, Gerry began to be sold at retailers, including
Macy's,
Dillard's, and
The Sports Authority. Their lightweight jackets and other apparel are also sold seasonally in
Costco stores. Gerry has its showroom in New York City. ==References==