History - Samson Rope

1870s

1878: J.P. Tolman, member of the first graduating class at MIT, founded the J.P. Tolman Company in Massachusetts.

1880s

1884: The company's now-famous trademark depicting Samson slaying a lion is registered.
1888: Samson Cordage Works is incorporated in Massachusetts; creates first braided rope with a reinforced core. Spot Cord® is still sold and used today!
1889: American Manufacturing Co. (AMCO) is founded.

1900s

1909: Samson celebrates 25th anniversary with a series of trademark coins—currently displayed at Samson’s headquarters.

1950s

1957: Samson develops the first synthetic double-braided rope -- a major innovation for the rope industry.
1957: Samson appeals to the modern housewife with an advertisement in Good Housekeeping.

1960s

1962: Since the Friendship Space program, Samson double-braided ropes have been used to retrieve all NASA space capsules launched to date.

1970s

1970: Samson installs new braider with a 21-inch circumference capacity specifically to produce ropes for the offshore oil and commercial marine industries.
1972: Samson Nystron double-braid rope becomes the first synthetic fiber rope used to moor an oil tanker to a loading Buoy in the North Sea.
1977: The first flight of NASA’s Space Shuttle uses lightweight, high-strength Samson ropes to operate the shuttle’s cargo bay doors.

1980s

1980: Samson continues to pioneer new technologies, introducing the first High Modulus Polyethylene (HMPE) ropes, with strengths 3 to 4 times that of conventional nylon and polyester fiber.
1981: Round Plait construction is introduced as RP-12, and the Tuck splice is developed with the help of tug crews using the rope in the Panama Canal.
1988: Samson headquarters moves coast-to-coast from Shirley, Mass., to Ferndale, Washington.

1990s

1992: AMCO creates the Ultra Blue product line, 30% stronger than the equivalent polypropylene construction.
1993: Samson Ocean Systems, Herzog Rope, and AMCO merge to form The American Group.
1996: Samson develops flagship brand AmSteel®-Blue leveraging benefits of 100% Dyneema® brand HMPE; it is still the most trusted synthetic rope brand on the market.
1997: Receive first ISO certification, with latest certification in 2018 (to ISO 9001-2015).

2000s

2001: The company returns to its roots and is renamed Samson Rope Technologies.
2003: A new proprietary fiber technology, DPX^TM, is developed (2003) and patented (2006), incorporating high-strength HMPE fiber with spun polyester to provide a higher coefficient of friction for better grip.
2008: M-8 is developed specifically for use with anchoring system to facilitate ROV connections at extreme depths. Its unique design prevents foreign particle ingress.

2010s

2010: Samson develops Vulcan, an emergency tow-off pendant made from aramid fiber with a proprietary heat-resistant coating applied to the core.
2010: Samson develops 100% HMPE product, Saturn-12, with proprietary coating to reduce internal abrasion.
2013: Samson launches the Samson App, giving users mobile access to inspection and retirement criteria and splice instructions.
2014: Samson partners with Manitowoc Cranes to launch K-100™, the first synthetic hoist rope designed specifically for mobile cranes.
2015: Fusion-12 is developed to bridge the gap between performance and investment for customers needing an alternative to 100% HMPE.
2017: Samson introduces EverSteel-X, featuring Dyneema DM20 fiber, designed specifically for Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRUs).
2017: National Business Research Institute recognized Samson with its prestigious Circle of Excellence award, based upon our customer rankings in Customer Satisfaction.
2018: Samson celebrates 140 years in business.
2018: Sharing the belief that every business can improve their social, economic, and environmental bottom line, Samson releases first annual Sustainability Report.
2018: Samson launches integrated technology and service platform, Icaria™, helping mooring customers transition to operational best practices outlined in MEG4.
2018: Exclusive agreement with Alaska Chadux Network for the manufacture of Emergency Vessel Attachment and Towing System (EVATS™) – a new approach to emergency vessel attachment and towing.
2018: CLASSROOM™ is launched. An online training platform built by Samson experts, Classroom's guided learning paths provide a curriculum for mastery of particular subjects, including Splicer Certification, Repair Procedures, Residual Strength Testing, and much more.
2021 Samson begins offering several products made with sustainable, bio-sourced fiber. This innovation utilizes the mass balance approach to sourcing and further reduces reliance on fossil-based resources.
2022: New and improved Samson app launched, bringing the latest in rope maintenance, innovation, and technology to the palm of your hand. Now it’s easier than ever to track the condition of your rope while you are in the field.
2022: SamsonDry™ introduced, a revolutionary hydrophobic coating that reduces water uptake in rope by 95% — keeping it lighter and safer in wet conditions
2023: Samson acquires Folch Ropes, S.A., a Spanish manufacturing company headquartered in Barcelona. In addition to enabling strategic growth, a European manufacturing presence will allow Samson to better supply European customers with new technology and localized support.
2023: Defender Fuse™ Snap-back Solutions are introduced. Designed to complement standard mooring systems, Defender Fuse is an advanced overload warning system engineered to significantly reduce the risk of mooring line recoil.
2024: Samson acquires Corderie Henri Lancelin in Ernée, France. Known for exceptional customer care, advanced rope technology, and over 115 years in the market, Lancelin is a dominant brand in leisure marine. Lancelin's state-of-the-art testing facility is capable of breaking ropes with a strength of up to 600 metric tons, offering large-diameter rope destructive testing in Europe and around the world.

The Samson Timeline

1870s

1880s

1900s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

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