Nalge, founded in 1949 and named after the creator’s wife (NLG), originally made plastic lab containers—lightweight and shatterproof alternatives to glass. Outdoor-loving scientists quickly saw their potential for wilderness use. For years, Nalgene bottles quietly spread through lab supply chains and workplaces. By the 1970s, the brand embraced its new audience, repackaging their products for the outdoor crowd—and a gear icon was born.
Nalge, founded in 1949 and named after the creator’s wife (NLG), originally made plastic lab containers—lightweight and shatterproof alternatives to glass. Outdoor-loving scientists quickly saw their potential for wilderness use. For years, Nalgene bottles quietly spread through lab supply chains and workplaces. By the 1970s, the brand embraced its new audience, repackaging their products for the outdoor crowd—and a gear icon was born.
