Leon Bean of Freeport, Maine, founded the company in 1912. Bean, an outdoorsman, invented the Maine Hunting Boot out of personal necessity. He decided to start a mail-order company with this boot as its product and customer service as its motto. Today, the company continues catering to customers who are both nature enthusiasts and are looking for quality traditional clothing and accessories. L.L. Bean continues with its original establishment and catalog business, along with an impressive Internet business and retail stores both in the United States and Japan.
Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry. Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle.