Drape‍r History

Luther O. Draper established the Draper Shade Company in Spiceland, Indiana, a small town located 40 miles east of the state capital of Indianapolis. Draper started the company to deal with a problem: the sun’s heat and glare affecting teachers and students in Midwest schools. His solution: spring-roller window shades.

The original Draper factory, circa 1920.

The company moves into a new building on the southern edge of town. Although our campus grows over the years, Draper remains in the same location. The building in this photo is later significantly expanded, but still houses our offices today.

Luther O. Draper is elected Indiana State Senator. His son-in-law, Elmer Pidgeon assumes management of the company.

Window shade production circa 1930.

Window shade brochure circa 1938.

Elmer Pidgeon becomes company president.

Window shade brochure circa 1946.

Draper enters the audiovisual market when Luther Pidgeon, grandson of Luther Draper, invents a new and uniquely durable classroom projection screen.

Luther Pidgeon becomes company president, continuing in that capacity until his death in July 2004.

With the addition of two new portable screens Draper becomes a full competitor in the screen industry.

The company is incorporated and becomes Drape‍r Shade & Screen Co., Inc.

The first projection screens designed to meet the needs of CRT video projectors are introduced by Draper to be used with Kloss Novabeam projectors.

Draper further diversifies its product line by introducing its first electric projector lift.

FlexShade Systems are added to the Draper line. These durable window shades are designed for the commercial market.

Following the purchase of O.C. Steele, Draper enters the gymnasium equipment market, eventually becoming the largest manufacturer of gymnasium equipment in the United States.

The acquisition of Progressive Athletics brings basketball backstops and volleyball equipment into the Draper line.

Draper expands its projector lift capabilities with the acquisition of manufacturer McDaniel & Lloyd. Draper, Inc. officially becomes the company name.

Lean manufacturing practices are adopted by Draper. A new Draper west coast sales office is opened in California. Swedish projector mount manufacturer SMS is acquired by Draper.

Draper acquires Bjurab, a Swedish screen manufacturer (later renamed Draper Europe).

John Pidgeon, the son of Luther Pidgeon, becomes president of Draper.

The 9th and largest building on the Draper campus is expanded even further to allow additional manufacturing space.

Draper introduces Solar Control Solutions. This line of architectural shading products provides precision control over the natural daylight entering the building, excellent energy savings, and interesting façade design options.

Draper launches a new range of Mounts and Structures for electronic videowalls. This includes custom structures, frames, mounts, and trim for any type of digital display, plus kiosks and more.

Chris Broome becomes the fourth descendant of Luther Draper to be named company president.

The introduction of the Draper At Home range of products marks the company's return to the residential market. Initially launched with residential window shades, the Draper At Home line was later expanded to include residential audiovisual products and gym equipment.

Today, Draper is a leading manufacturer in each of the markets where we operate: audiovisual products, window shades, and gymnasium equipment. We have weathered World Wars, depressions and recessions, cyber attacks, and pandemics, without ever having laid off an employee. We remain family owned and operated, led by Luther O. Draper's descendants.