NALGENE began in 1949 with the development of the highest quality, state-of-the-art plastic laboratory equipment of the time. In the 1970s, the carry-in/carry-out trend was born when conservationists began encouraging campers to burn or bury cans and glass containers as a common method of disposal. At that time, NALGENE's experimental bottles were accepted by the hiking and adventure subculture. When the president's son went camping with Boy Scouts, he used NALGENE bottles and containers. Combined with the carry-in/carry-out trend, the president had the idea to market this lab equipment as a high-quality hiking and camping essential, and Nalgene Outdoor was born.
