Why it belongs in ORBIS
Chicago workwear maker founded in 1924 by Austrian immigrant brothers Max and Joe Eckerling, who first sewed bib overalls out of their home on Roosevelt Road; still family-owned into a third generation.
Universal Overall was founded in Chicago in 1924 by brothers Max and Joe Eckerling, who had immigrated from Austria in 1921 and took whatever work they could find before starting the company. They began by making and selling bib overalls out of their own home on Roosevelt Road, initially selling to local retailers. During the 1930s the business expanded into other work garments, including coveralls sold to industrial laundries. The company has stayed family-owned and -operated across three generations since its founding, and its products have historically been used on factory floors, farms, construction sites and job sites across the US.