John and Eliza Blundstone arrived in Australia around the 1850s on the 'Conway' from Derbyshire. John was experienced in footwear manufacturing, and he soon set up business in Hobart. By 1892 John had established a factory and expanded to premises on either side of Collins Street. In 1902 he took his son into the business and Blundstone and Son was born. In 1932 John sold Blundstone Pty Ltd to two brothers and Thomas Cuthbertson who were also shoe manufacturers. They amalgamated the manufacturing operations under the Blundstone name, and retained the family name for the tannery in Hobart. In 1979 Blundstone became the first Australian footwear manufacturer to receive a Design Award from the Industrial Design Council of Australia. Today the Blundstone name is synonymous with quality footwear and the Blundstone name is just as likely to appear on Parisian catwalks as it is in the mines of the Pilbarra. Blundstone - Australian for Boot.