History

Origin of the HBC Blanket

When the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) began trading in Hudson's Bay, blankets were already a sought-after item. Indigenous traders, discerning and knowledgeable about textile quality, demanded flawless products. Initially, HBC imported French blankets to meet this demand, but eventually, British mills began producing similar but cheaper blankets. Quality issues were taken seriously, with substandard goods returned to London for improvement. As competition in the fur trade increased, Indigenous traders skillfully negotiated better prices.

Enter Germain Maugenest, an independent fur trader who joined HBC in 1779. He proposed several improvements for the inland trade, including the regular stocking and trading of "pointed" blankets. By December 1779, HBC ordered 500 pairs of these blankets in various sizes, marking the beginning of a new era in the fur trade.

 

The Point system

The "point" system, developed by French weavers in the mid-18th century, indicates the size of a blanket, not its value in beaver pelts. Points, marked by indigo lines on the blanket's edge, range from 1 to 6, increasing by halves. Each point signifies the blanket's dimensions and weight, with a 1-point blanket typically measuring 2 feet 8 inches by 8 feet and weighing 3 pounds 1 ounce.

 

Quality in Manufacturing

Initially, HBC Point Blankets were primarily supplied by weavers in Witney, Oxfordshire. Due to increasing demand, HBC began sourcing from various English companies in Yorkshire, including Wormalds and Walkers. In 1982, Hainsworth acquired Wormalds and Walkers, becoming the exclusive manufacturer of the blanket, committed to preserving its quality and sourcing. The blanket's wool, a blend from Britain and New Zealand, is chosen for its water resistance, softness, warmth, and strength. The wool is dyed, then air and sun dried to enhance the colors. Blankets are woven 50% larger than their finished size and then milled to prevent shrinkage and hardening under severe conditions.