Our Story

It started in a drafty dorm room in Maine in the late ’90s. Gary was freezing, half-zipped into a sleeping bag that made using the TV remote impossible. While watching Late Night with Conan O'Brien he decided he needed to tear a hole in his sleeping bag so he could keep his upper body warm as he channel surfed during the commercial breaks.—then imagined a better fix: 

Put sleeves on a real blanket so warmth could follow you when you move.

THE STORY OF SLANKET
Born in a Dorm Room, Not a Boardroom.

(Courtesy of Million Dollar Genius: A&E Networks)

Timeline

 
  •  
    1997
    Hand holding a remote control peeking out from under a blanket

    The Problem

    A cold dorm room in Maine, watching late night tv the remote wouldn't go through the blanket. Instead of exposing his arm to the cold Gary cut a hole in his blanket in order to change the channels.
  •  
    1998
    The first slanket ever made, in 1997

    First Slanket

    He told one person, his mom and she sewed together the first Slanket. Gary used it for the remainder of college.
    (It has deteriorated over the years)
  •  
    2002
    An image of the flatirons in Boulder, Colorado.

    Developing & Building

    Gary moves to Boulder with his brother. He kept it quiet for awhile but once the idea came to light they start testing Slanket with friends and started building a business.
  •  
    2005
    The original website for Slanket.

    Website Launched Jan 21st

    Website launches, a friend of Slanket posted it to Digg.com and the gamers came running. The first run of Slankets sold out within days, shipping orders worldwide.
  •  
    2006
    First tradeshow Slanket went to in 2006 in Chicago

    Tradeshow / QVC

    Slanket went to the Home & Housewares tradeshow in Chicago. The Today Show came to the booth and filmed a bit that aired nationwide. The next day the booth was inundated with sales people. From there Slanket secured a visit to QVC which ended up being a very long term sales channel in many countries. From here Slanket gained a lot of press and worldwide attention.

    (Also met, who would become our first competitor at this tradeshow.)
  •  
    2008
    30 Rock - Liz Lemon in Slanket working on her night cheese

    TV Shows & Knockoffs

    Slanket began to be mentioned on late night tv, as a punch line in many tv shows along with multiple mentions and product placement on 30 Rock. This year also brought competition & knockoffs.
  •  
    2026
    Product image of a man using Slanket and using his ipad

    Today & Beyond

    Nearly two decades after a cold Maine night sparked the idea, Slanket continues to redefine comfort at home. From new designs to new ways to relax, we remain committed to the same simple mission: creating thoughtful products that make everyday moments warmer, cozier, and better together.