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Esky

Summary

Esky is a brand of portable coolers, originally Australian, derived from the word "Eskimo". The term "esky" is also commonly used in Australia to generically refer to portable coolers or ice boxes and is part of the Australian vernacular, in place of words like "cooler" or "cooler box" and the New Zealand "chilly bin".

Esky
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryOutdoor recreation
Founded1884; 140 years ago (1884)[1]
FounderFrancis Malley[2]
Headquarters
Sydney[3]
,
Australia
ProductsCamping equipment
Websiteesky.com.au

The brand name was purchased by the United States firm Coleman Company, (a subsidiary of Newell Brands) in 2009.

History edit

Some historians have credited Malley's with the invention of the portable ice cooler.[4] According to the company, the Esky was "recognised as the first official portable cooler in the world."[5] The company's own figures claim that, by 1960, 500,000 Australian households owned one (in a country of approximately 3 million households at the time).

The brand "Esky" was used from around 1945,[6] for an Australian-made ice chest, a free-standing 44 by 23 by 16 inches (112 cm × 58 cm × 41 cm) insulated cabinet with two compartments: the upper to carry a standard (23 pounds (10 kg))[7] block of ice, and the lower for food and drinks.[8] It was made in Sydney by Malleys but did not carry their name until around 1949.[9]

 
Early "Malleys Esky"
 
Malleys Esky c. 1965
 
Moulded plastic "esky" by Willow Ware Australia

The first (metal-cased) portable Esky appeared in 1952,[10] sized to accommodate six 26 imperial fluid ounces (740 ml) bottles of beer or soft drink, as advertised nationally.[11] By 1965 "esky" (no capital E) was being used in Australian literature for such coolers, and in 1973 Malleys, owners of the tradename, acknowledged that the term had entered the vernacular and was being used for lightweight plastic imitations.[12] One such brand was Willow, an Australian manufacturer, previously known for domestic "tinware" — buckets, bins, cake tins and oven trays.[13][a]

Nylex started making the plastic-cased Esky in 1984.[23] In 1993 Nylex Corporation was still defending their ownership of the "Esky" trademark,[24] but by 2002 they had allowed it to lapse.[25]

Outdoor recreation company Coleman Australia bought the Esky brands from Nylex Ltd after the company went into administration in February 2009, and later that year Coleman was producing most of the Esky line in Melbourne.[26][27][28] The sale was seen as symptomatic of the decline of Australian-made goods due to cheaper imports.[29]

Construction edit

Current models are constructed with two layers: polypropylene on the outer shell, with a polyurethane inner layer. This makes it lightweight and portable with excellent insulation. The original Esky had a lightweight galvanized iron outer shell and lining,[30] and used cork compound insulation.[31] Later models had a plastic inner and polystyrene foam insulation. Later coolers have been moulded entirely from polystyrene foam. They are lightweight and inexpensive, but are easily damaged or destroyed.[32]

The lightweight construction makes most eskies float in water, and they have been recommended by safety specialists to be used as an improvised lifebuoy, if more specialised equipment is not available.[33] Numerous people have been saved after using either the whole esky or the esky lid as flotation devices after boating accidents.[34][35][36]

Generic use edit

In Australia, the 'esky' name has become, or as a legal matter nearly has become, genericised: the popularity of the product has led to the use of its name to refer to any cooler box, regardless of the brand. Many dictionaries, including the Australian National Dictionary and the Macquarie Dictionary, now include definitions in their publications defining it as such.[27][37] However, the use of the Esky trademark must be approved by the brand owner to avoid any liability.

Government agencies and media outlets in Australia have used the term in preference to generic alternatives.

In Australian culture edit

 
Adelaide beach scene 1965, an Esky may be seen at centre.

The esky has played a unique role in Australian culture, especially with regard to outdoor activities, camping, and sporting events, and for reasons of novelty.[38] In particular, the design and use of the esky has evolved through its relationship with Australia's drinking culture. The first portable Esky was designed to carry six "standard" 26 fluid ounce (740 ml) bottles as well as a triple level food section.[39] Malley's Esky was created as a tool for camping and caravanning holidays and was called the Esky Auto Box, encouraged by the post-war popularity of the private motor vehicle.[4] The esky became an essential part of the beach, outdoor dining and barbecue culture that developed in Australia during the 60s and 70s.[4][40] Due to their portability and extensive use outdoors, an esky can also double as makeshift cricket stumps, with some companies making hybrid products that include retractable stumps (among other useful features such as a bottle opener).[41][42]

Though not unique to Australia, Australian media have widely reported on a number of high-profile incidents involving motorised eskies fitted with small motors and wheels. Police have impounded offending vehicles and have issued fines to those operating them on public property.[43][44]

Spectators at the closing ceremony at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney each received a promotional pack of a small polystyrene Esky containing other items of memorabilia.[45]

In another uniquely Australian piece of culture, poly-foam bodyboards used in the surf are often referred to by the slang term, "Esky-lid”, or “shark biscuit”.

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Willow had its origin in Wilson Brothers Pty, founded by Ralph and Richard, sons of Ralph Wilson, sen., (c. 1826 – 14 June 1901)[14] and Elizabeth Wilson ( – 21 April 1912). With start-up capital from their parents, they began making tin cans in 1887, then developed a factory in Sutton Street, North Melbourne, which in 1930 occupied 2 acres (0.81 ha).[15] Ralph Wilson (1865 – 10 December 1930)[16] married Agnes Kirkwood Twaddell (1870–1946) in 1896,[17] and had a home "Benarty", in High street, Malvern. He seems to have been a respected employer,[18] but nothing has been found of his brother Richard's involvement, apart from his retirement in 1906.[16] Apart from robberies[19] and vandalism,[20] the company was never in the news; they established the "Willow" brand in the 1920s, making billies, Coolgardie safes, etc.;[21] became W., M., Y., and A. H. Wilson Ltd.[18] They later moved to Tullamarine, and now only make plastic products.[22] Since 2018 owned by Decor Corporation, a subsidiary of Marlin Management Services.

References edit

  1. ^ https://www.esky.com.au/about-us.html
  2. ^ https://www.esky.com.au/about-us.html
  3. ^ https://www.esky.com.au/about-us.html
  4. ^ a b c Santich, Barbara (2012). Bold Palates: Australia's Gastronomic Heritage. Wakefield Press. ISBN 9781743050941.
  5. ^ Mountney, Jason (2011). "History of the Esky – a cool Aussie icon". Reader's Digest (Handyman December/January 2011). Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Advertising". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. No. 21, 303. New South Wales, Australia. 13 January 1945. p. 7. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "1/1 Ice Blocks Should Weigh At Least 23lb". The Herald (Melbourne). No. 20, 505. Victoria, Australia. 3 February 1943. p. 5. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "Advertising". The Newcastle Sun. No. 8777. New South Wales, Australia. 14 February 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Advertising". Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga). New South Wales, Australia. 22 August 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "Advertising". Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga). New South Wales, Australia. 24 December 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "For every purse..." The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 24, no. 25. Australia, Australia. 21 November 1956. p. 72. Retrieved 4 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ The Australian National Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 1988. ISBN 0195547365.
  13. ^ "Advertising". The Northern Star. Vol. 64. New South Wales, Australia: Star Weekly. 19 February 1941. p. 3. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Family Notices". The Age. No. 14, 445. Victoria, Australia. 24 June 1901. p. 1. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ ""Wilow" Tinware". Sunraysia Daily. Vol. 11, no. 302. Victoria, Australia. 5 October 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 30 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ a b "Personal". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 26, 313. Victoria, Australia. 13 December 1930. p. 22. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "Family Notices". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 15, 532. Victoria, Australia. 11 April 1896. p. 1. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ a b "Family Notices". The Age. No. 23, 921. Victoria, Australia. 10 December 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Bandits in Motor-car". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 28, 137. Victoria, Australia. 24 October 1936. p. 17. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "Vandals in Factory". The Age. No. 23, 138. Victoria, Australia. 5 June 1929. p. 19. Retrieved 7 March 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "Advertising". Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette. Vol. LXX, no. 274. Queensland, Australia. 1 October 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 30 January 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ "Willow Ware Australia: A journey from tin cans to robots". 22 June 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  23. ^ "Esky auto box invented by Malleys - Australian food history timeline". Australian Food Timeline. 18 September 1950. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Advertising". The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 429. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 16 December 1993. p. 17. Retrieved 5 February 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "The Esky Australia Trademark Information". Trademark Elite. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  26. ^ Higginbottom, Nick (2 July 2009). "American company Coleman buys Esky from ailing Nylex". Herald Sun. Australian Associated Press. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  27. ^ a b Oakes, Dan (15 August 2009). "Cool plan to take rescued Esky to the world". The Age. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  28. ^ "Esky". The Coleman Company. Archived from the original on 20 November 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  29. ^ Millmow, Alex (8 July 2009). "They've taken my Esky away". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  30. ^ "Wine Casks, Eskys and Lamingtons". Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre. Archived from the original on 16 May 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  31. ^ Newton, John (12 October 2002). "Playing it cool". Sydney Morning Herald.
  32. ^ Simpson, Willie (9 December 2003). "Case of the chills". The Age.
  33. ^ "Esky a lifesaver". The Canberra Times. ACT: National Library of Australia. 5 January 1979. p. 7. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  34. ^ "Esky keeps man afloat 25 hours". The Canberra Times. ACT: National Library of Australia. 2 May 1989. p. 3. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  35. ^ Tobin, Mark (5 January 2012). "Four rescued as boat sinks off Sydney".
  36. ^ "Another Oz shark victim?". 27 November 2000.
  37. ^ The Macquarie essential dictionary. Sydney: The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. 2005. p. 263. ISBN 1-876429-07-0.
  38. ^ Powerhouse Museum. "Esky by Malley's". Powerhouse Museum, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  39. ^ "Advertising". Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1878 – 1954). Rockhampton, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 20 August 1954. p. 7. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  40. ^ Dupleix, Jill; Shield, Mark (23 October 1993). "An Esky for all occasions". The Sunday Age.
  41. ^ "Cricket Cooler - Backyard Cricket Stumps with a 33 Litre Cooler | Catch.com.au". www.catch.com.au. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Cricket Cooler | Halfords UK". www.halfords.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  43. ^ Jefferson, Andrew (18 January 2015). "Rosebud man fined for driving Esky without a licence". Herald Sun. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Adelaide man riding motorised Esky reported for driving unlicensed, unregistered vehicle". ABC News. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  45. ^ Powerhouse Museum. "2001/84/28 Promotional kit, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, cardboard / polystyrene / metal / plastic / paper, Sydney, 2000". Powerhouse Museum, Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2015.

External links edit

  • https://www.esky.com.au/

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