With a trademark now including ‘Tasmania’, Blundstone heads into the 20th century. A state-of-the-art boot factory is built in the heart of Hobart, producing 2000 boots per week. “There is no better factory of its kind in Tasmania” was how local paper The Mercury described it in 1909. When World War I broke out, Blundstone was contracted to make boots for Aussie troops. As one of 20 domestic boot manufacturers, Blundstone helped the nation deliver 100,000 pairs of boots per month to our troops, despite a scarcity of skilled labour.

In the midst of the Great Depression, the Blundstone business is acquired by the Cuthbertsons - a family synonymous with quality footwear and leather tanning in Tasmania since the 1850s. By the 1920s, the Cuthbertson name was synonymous with quality products, and highly skilled cobblers. They had also made history by being the first bootmaker in Australia to have its own tannery. Perhaps this diversification is what shielded the Cuthbertsons from the full brunt of the Depression, putting them in prime position to acquire the well-known Blundstone brand in 1933. The Cuthbertson family remain the owners to this day. The Blundstone name was retained for its longstanding and demonstrated reputation for innovation, quality, and reliability.

Blundstone steps up again during World War II, with half a million pairs of boots supplied to the Australian Army. Our army boots also included those worn by soldiers on the infamous Kokoda Trail, complete with jungle cleats. The boots were so coveted that American soldiers swapped them for their own boots, such was the comfort and durability of the design.

Post-war, Blundstone leads the way with its cutting-edge sole technology and word of our design and manufacturing ingenuity begins to spread. Our factory is soon inundated with requests for made-to-order workboots for all sorts of industries, including boots designed to withstand conditions up to the 350°C in the baking rooms of smelters. As the 1950s drew to a close, Blundstone was producing up to 200 pairs of boots a day under the leadership of Sir Harold Cuthbertson. Sir Harold embraced innovative bulk manufacturing and sought to make the Hobart factory world leading in its use of technology.

By the 1960s, more than 90 years after it was founded, Blundstone stands tall as Tasmania’s preeminent manufacturer of footwear. This is the era our now iconic #500 series is born. These boots are true originals. The sole design has evolved over time to incorporate new technology, but the overall design of our distinctive pull-up tab Chelsea boots continues to define us. The #500 has since sold more than 25 million pairs globally, providing a hit with workers, adventurers, and creatives alike.

Our boots shod the first Australian expedition to Everest, with the Nepalese sherpas loving them so much they receive them as parting gifts. The decade ends with an Australian Design Award, the first ever bestowed on a footwear manufacturer. In 1980 Managing Director Sir Harold Cuthbertson is knighted for his services to industry and community. Our factory is relocated to Moonah in Hobart, gumboots join our growing suite of products and we establish a factory in Auckland, New Zealand. In the mid-1980s, Sweden becomes our first European export market, and we receive an Australian Export Award in 1986.

Our range expands to again include boots for kids and a range of safety footwear for women, an acknowledgement of their place in industry. By the late-1990s, Blundstone is sold in 22 countries worldwide. In the 90’s we spread our artistic wings, thanks to the collaboration with the Tap Dogs who wear our boots also at the Opening Ceremony at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000. At the beginning of the century, we launch our Mountain Master hiking boots - perfect for globetrotters, they come with a Lonely Planet guide. During this decade changes in consumer choice, global supply chains, and trade agreements brings a new direction for the business, and production expands internationally.

Our international exposure continues, with our Australian athletes proudly wearing our thermal boots at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014. A year later we win a second coveted Australian Design Award, this time for the #980 mining boot and we are credited with fundamentally changing the way mining boots are made.

Today, Blundstone boots are worn and loved around the world by people young and old, for work and play. Still proudly family-owned and headquartered in Tasmania, we continue to grow our global footprint - from the end of the earth. And while our boots won’t change the world, the people wearing them just might.