While Eddie Bauer is a nationally recognized company, it’s especially important to Washingtonians. After all, Eddie Bauer himself was born on Orcas Island in 1899, and he founded the company with a passion for all the outdoor experiences the Pacific Northwest offers. But few Washingtonians know that Eddie Bauer actually patented the original down parka — and it took him almost dying to do it.

Eddie Bauer was born and raised in Washington, and he grew up hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Samuronin / Wikipedia
Bauer opened Eddie Bauer's Sport Shop in Seattle in 1920.
Eddie Bauer stores soon expanded, all founded on the Eddie Bauer Creed and Guarantee that is still the foundation for the company's customer service today.
Mike Mozart / Flickr
But over a decade after his first store opened, everything changed for Bauer.
In January of 1935, Eddie Bauer and his friend, Red Carlson, headed to the Olympic Peninsula to go steelhead fishing.
Wendy Weaver / Flickr
It was a cold, snowy day, and their fishing spot was about a mile from their car. On their way back to the car, Bauer, drenched in sweat from carrying his bag of fish and, started having problems. When he reached the top of the canyon, he leaned against a tree to rest and realized he was about to lose consciousness. Luckily, he carried a revolver, and he fired two warning shots so Carlson could help him. Had he been alone, he wouldn't have survived.

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Bauer wasn't about to let one terrifying experience keep him from fishing or hunting. But the experience inspired him.
Wendy Weaver / Flickr
He realized he, and other outdoor enthusiasts like him, needed a warm but breathable jacket. He worked with local merchants to get high quality goose down and made the pattern for what was to become a one-of-a-kind down jacket.
The original down parka was called The Skyliner. It was the first goose down jacket in North America.
Eddie Bauer
These days, Eddie Bauer carries many options for down jackets, and they're all extremely popular.
It's strange to think that such a scary experience put Eddie Bauer on the map, both in Washington and beyond.
edward stojakovic / Flickr
This year, the Eddie Bauer company will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

Did you know about the Eddie Bauer down jacket’s wild beginnings? Here are some other things that wouldn’t exist without Washingtonians.

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