1957
Yvon Chouinard sells home-made, hand forged pitons from the back of his car
Chouinard Equipment is formed in Ventura, California, by Yvon Chouinard
first Chouinard carabiner made
1959
Horizontal Knifeblade piton launched
1960
Realised Ultimate Reality Piton (RURP) developed
Alloy Bong, Bugaboo and Angle pitons released
1961
Aluminium Bong
1963
Die-forged Lost Arrow pitons
1964
Chouinard Equipment's first mail-order catalog came out - a one-page list of equipment and prices
1966
partnership formed with engineer, Tom Frost
Yvon first rents the now famous tin shed in Ventura, California
1968
release world's first rigid crampon, and new Chouinard carabiner
Yvon Chouinard's six month road trip to South America (skiing, climbing and surfing.) Hence the company name: Patagonia
1969
make first curved pick ice axes (Chouinard Piolet)
1971
Hexentrics introduced, the vanguard of clean climbing protection
Crag Hammer and Climaxe released
1972
Doug Robinson's article in the Chouinard Equipment catalog sparked the 'clean climbing' revolution
10,000 catalogs printed
Stoppers introduced
1973
corporate entity Great Pacific Iron Works Inc created
Ultima Thule pack and Tube Chocks released
1974
import Scottish rugby shirts for sale (a move that would ultimately lead to formation of Patagonia, Inc.)
1975
Crackin' Ups released
Chouinard Super Rope unveiled
tubular ice screws unveiled
1976
Zero ice axe and North Wall hammer introduced
35,000 catalogs printed
US patent for an 'irregular polygonal mountaineering chock' (Hexentric) award to Yvon Chouinard and Tom Frost'
1977
Featherweight carabiner debuts
Sales pass $2 million mark (for combined Great Pacific Iron Works)
1978
Oval carabiner and Hinged crampons
Yvon Chouinard publishes 'Climbing Ice' book
1980
Piolet USA (aluminium/fibreglass.graphite) Light D Carabiner, and Chouinard Chest & Sit Harnesses
Asolo Canyon climbing shoe announced
sold Asolo Snowfield and Summit leather backcountry ski boots
1982
six employees and annual sales of about $1 million
1983
Pyramid tent first appears (2 person, one pole, single skin). Was inspired by the flysheet from an REI 'McKinley' tent
1984
launched SealCoat stuff sacks, sealant and vapour barrier liners and socks
debut 5.5 Kevlar accessory cord (strong as 9mm kernmantle)
release Chouinard T-Stake for tents
1985
enter backcountry ski market with 75mm XCD telemark binding and cable bindings released
Aluminium ski mountaineering shovel introduced, as well as Lazy Bum ski chair
Lost Arrow Corporation created as parent holding company
3 person pyramid tent released (Megamid)
1986
debut first shell glove cut on a curve for better grip (Shell Gloves), and companion Shell Mittens
introduce avalanche Probe ski poles
debut Bod sit harness with Synchilla padded waistband
1987
Camalot spring load camming devices announced, with dual axles and broad expansion range
Comet tent launched, single skin hypalon coated, hybrid tunnel tent
Debuted Chouinard backcountry skis: the Expresso and Toute Neige
released the Self Arrest Grip (detachable ice picks) for ski poles
1989
Valmonte and Valmonte X (waxless) backcountry touring/telemarking skis released
filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, over legal cases claiming it had failed to warn climbing was dangerous
former employees create Black Diamond Equipment (BDEL), acquiring Chouinard assets in leveraged buyout
1991
BDEL relocates to a $1 million, seven-acre abandoned shopping centre property in Salt Lake City, Utah
48 employees and revenues of $7 million, with a of sales coming from backcountry skiing products
1992
first plastic telemark Terminator (T1) ski boot, developed with Scarpa of Italy
1993
introduced the Air Traffic Controller, or ATC, belay device
introduced the auto-locking SuperLock screwgate carabiner
1995
200 employees and $20 million in sales
1996
Bibler Tents acquired
HotWire, the world's first wire-gate carabiner released
1998
Franklin Climbing Equipment becomes part of BDEL
1999
250 employees with annual revenues of $30 million
2000
LED headlamps are introduced; a new warehouse is opened
2001
AvaLung II introduced
release line of own head torches with Spaceshot, Lunar and Moonlight
2002
Skye Alpine acquired