In 1918, Nathan Swartz, began a boot-making career as an apprentice stitcher at The Abington Shoe Company in Massachusetts. The story of Swartz is a classic. He started at the lowest rung on the ladder, learned his trade and through hard work and determination, he eventually became the owner of the company. Swartz and his sons continued to make shoes and boots for many manufacturers, and in the 1960's they produced the first truly waterproof boots. The innovation came by fusing soles to leather uppers without stitching.

In 1973, the Timberland name was born. The name "Timberland" started as the brand name for their original waterproof leather boot, but when the boot popular, the company name was officially changed to The Timberland Company. Throughout the next couple of decades the range of products produced by Timberland grew to include casual and boat shoes and then clothing; all meant to reflect a rugged outdoor style.

Since the 1990's, Timberland boots have risen in popularity and taken on a new urban image. This image has been created and helped by various hip hop and rap celebrities such as Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, and Missy Elliot. Still, Timberlands will always be functional and useful as trail and hiking wear and the urban jungle is not the first wilderness that comes to mind when we see a pair of Timberlands