It’s not my intention to dwell on any particular stove or my collection, but an information source for the dating of fisher stoves and the history behind the company. So here’s my research on stove model introduction dates; If an older ad is found, I may have to edit a date or add new information as found. I have tons of these ads, and it’s not always easy to date them. ‘BEAR’ with me ;
The first models can be determined from “
The Fisher Stove Story” book.
You can get it here;
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/wiki/Book_-_The_Fisher_Stove_Story/
Papa Bear;
The interview article in the Seattle Times titled “His stove was hot idea while it lasted” dates Bob’s unemployed winter and first stove to October of 1973.
The book correlates this time period with the building of his Uncle Ed’s stove, his mothers stove to repay her for the loan, and the 4th stove was going to be sold for profit. The book states “10 days none sold” and this was close to Christmas………
By May 1974 the 10th stove was built from the materials from his Uncle Ed’s loan.
Soon after, Baxter suggested having the doors cast, and Bob rented the first building soon afterward. By the end of July 1974, he was selling 4 a day.
Mama Bear;
Was added for people requiring less heat (pg. 53) approx. at the end of July or beginning of August 1974. Ron Correll was hired, and the first license to build the stoves was signed. September 74 was the TV commercial. (pg. 67)
Baby Bear;
First mentioned on pg. 69 in an article from the Register Guard newspaper on how the Baby Bear was born. Putting the start date on or before September 74. Possibly the same time when Papa was downsized to the Mama ???
By January 76, (pg. 85) Ron and wife Susie had left to go on their own, and the imitators started with Self Sufficiency, Schrader, and then Jake Jackson’s idea of a double door stove.
Grandma and Grandpa; During 1976 became the double door Fireplace Series. (possibly to compete with Jakes Frontier Stoves double doors?)
The following is my use of ads and news articles as they appeared with the newer models;
Goldilocks; (Mobile Home fireplace and radiant heater) first seen in this 10-18-78 ad;
( I also have the original 5 year warranty certificate that came with this stove with copyright 1978 that I will scan and add to this thread )
http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...5267,4516782&dq=fisher+goldilocks+stove&hl=en
Fireplace Insert; Appears in this 2-13-79 ad along with “the all new XL”
XL Series; The 3000 square foot capacity “restaurant size” model confirming the 8 models made;
http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AJ&pg=5749,2705804&dq=fisher+bear+stove&hl=en
Fireplace Insert and Goldilocks production are also mentioned in this 2-20-79 news article; “Fisher stoves gives contracts to two Eugene firms”
(Earl Wing of Industrial Construction Company, and Crown American Irrigation)
http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...3926,6115772&dq=fisher+goldilocks+stove&hl=en
Earl later becomes the primary stock holder, sells to Vik Construction, and later regains the company back.
More dates to come; Fireplace III Series, Honey Bear Insert and ads containing the new "UL listed" stoves starting in April of 1980. More ads and articles to sort by date, to be continued…………