The history of the stubby cooler

In 1972, Malcolm Lock, South Australian businessman and pioneer surfing identity had a problem. With the rising popularity of wetsuits, his company had to dispose off large volumes of wetsuit neoprene rubber off-cuts and all this cost him money.
In his leisure time Malcolm surfed, and enjoyed the odd drink or two. And whilst enjoying that drink, he’d experienced how his hands became too cold, and his beer too hot. Knowing the insulating benefits of neoprene, he set about solving the problem.
In one flash of brilliance, the stubby cooler was born.
No more wasted neoprene going to landfill, no more cold hands and even best of all, longer lasting cold beer.
In a country like Australia where people live to drink a cold beer, the benefits of the stubby cooler were immediately realized. Not before long, the stubby cooler became a necessary, obligatory drinking accessory. It was “haute couture” to have the best stubby cooler - a cultural phenomenon was launched.
From this original idea, a whole industry has grown; the original stubby cooler has morphed to insulate bottles, to have lay flay versions and many other configurations. None the less the simplicity and practicality of the “original stubby cooler” design lives on. They are today, variously described as, stubby coolers, stubby holders, can coolers, can holders, cozies, or wetsuit coolers
Those first simple stubby coolers were plain and unprinted, but very soon, were carrying the messages of companies who wanted to promote themselves. Today, stubby coolers are printed in full color with images to promote products and services, as gift and souvenirs.
Way back in 1972 when Malcolm had that original problem solving idea, there was no way he envisage the path to fame his idea would follow.
As long as Australian’s want to enjoy a cold beer the stubby cooler will live on.
Reference:
Personal discussion between Malcolm Lock and Roger Carthew

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