Olde Thompson was originally started in 1944 as The George S. Thompson Company. Mr. Thompson retired from military duty in Europe, where pepper mills were routinely used. He then founded his company to 'introduce' pepper mills to the American market. In the mid 1960's Douglas Shumway acquired the company. The company is now one of the largest manufacturers of salt and pepper mills in the world. In the 1980's, it actively began exporting products through foreign distributorships. Olde Thompson pepper mills are now sold in more than 30 countries worldwide from France to Japan, to Chile and Israel. The company offers a complete range of salt and pepper mills and accessories. There are more than 150 styles of salt and pepper mills in a variety of materials: plastics, woods in various finishes, metals, etc. Olde Thompson is headquartered in Oxnard, Calif.