{{Short description|Australian brand of portable coolers}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{redirect|Eskies|the Canadian Football League team|Edmonton Eskimos}} {{other uses}} {{Infobox company | name = Esky | logo = | logo_size = 200 | type = Subsidiary | founded = 1884 | founder = Francis Malley | hq_location_city = Sydney | hq_location_country = Australia | key_people = | industry = Outdoor recreation | products = Camping equipment | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | num_employees = | parent = Coleman | subsidiaries = | website = {{URL|https://www.esky.com.au/|esky.com.au}} }}
'''Esky''' is a brand of portable coolers, originally Australian, derived from the word eskimo. The term esky is also commonly used in Australia to generically refer to portable coolers or ice boxes and is part of the Australian vernacular, in place of words like cooler or cooler box.
The brand name was purchased from Nylex by Coleman in 2009.
==History== Some historians have credited Malley's with the invention of the portable ice cooler.<ref>[https://www.esky.com.au/about-us.html About] Esky</ref><ref name=Santich>{{cite book|last1=Santich|first1=Barbara|title=Bold Palates: Australia's Gastronomic Heritage|date=2012|publisher=Wakefield Press|isbn=9781743050941|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RkHKFAzc_5AC}}</ref> According to the company, the Esky was ''"recognised as the first official portable cooler in the world."''<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mountney|first1=Jason|title=History of the Esky – a cool Aussie icon|journal=Reader's Digest|date=2011|issue=Handyman December/January 2011|url=http://www.readersdigest.com.au/History%20of%20the%20Esky%20-%20a%20cool%20Aussie%20icon|access-date=10 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402094352/http://www.readersdigest.com.au/History%20of%20the%20Esky%20-%20a%20cool%20Aussie%20icon|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The company's own figures claim that, by 1960, 500,000 Australian households owned one (in a country of approximately three million households at the time).
The brand "Esky" was used from around 1945,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134998415 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Newcastle Morning Herald & Miners' Advocate |issue=21,303 |location=Newcastle, Australia |date=13 January 1945 |access-date=4 February 2023 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> for an Australian-made ice chest, a free-standing {{convert |44 x 23 x 16 |in|cm}} insulated cabinet with two compartments: the upper to carry a standard ({{convert|23|lb}})<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245957518 |title=1/1 Ice Blocks Should Weigh At Least 23lb |newspaper=The Herald |issue=20,505 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=3 February 1943 |accessdate=4 February 2023 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> block of ice, and the lower for food and drinks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158276171 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Newcastle Sun |issue=8777 |location=Newcastle, Australia |date=14 February 1946 |access-date=4 February 2023 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It was made in Sydney by Malleys but did not carry their name until around 1949.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145545586 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Daily Advertiser |location=Wagga Wagga, Australia |date=22 August 1949 |access-date=4 February 2023 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
thumb|Early "Malleys Esky" thumb|Malleys Esky c. 1965 [[File:WTW NOV 2013 Lianna Henwood 055.JPG|thumb|Moulded plastic esky by Willow Ware Australia]] The first (metal-cased) portable Esky appeared in 1952,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145518114 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Daily Advertsier |location=Wagga Wagga, Australia |date=24 December 1952 |access-date=4 February 2023 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> sized to accommodate six {{convert |26 |impoz |ml}} bottles of beer or soft drink, as advertised nationally.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42111504 |title=For every purse... |newspaper=Australian Women's Weekly |volume=24 |issue=25 |location=Australia, Australia |date=21 November 1956 |access-date=4 February 2023 |page=72 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> By 1965 "esky" (no capital ''E'') was being used in Australian literature for such coolers, and in 1973 Malleys, owners of the tradename, acknowledged that the term had entered the vernacular and was being used for lightweight plastic imitations.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Australian National Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1988 |isbn=0195547365}}</ref>
One such brand was Willow, an Australian manufacturer, previously known for domestic "tinware" — buckets, bins, cake tins and oven trays.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article98639349 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Northern Star |volume=64 |location=Lismore, Australia |publisher=Star Weekly |date=19 February 1941 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>{{efn|Willow had its origin in Wilson Brothers Pty, founded by Ralph and Richard, sons of Ralph Wilson, sen., (c. 1826 – 14 June 1901)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190031386 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=The Age |issue=14,445 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=24 June 1901 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and Elizabeth Wilson ( – 21 April 1912). With start-up capital from their parents, they began making tin cans in 1887, then developed a factory in Sutton Street, North Melbourne, which in 1930 occupied {{convert|2|acres}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article264306013 |title="Wilow" Tinware |newspaper=Sunraysia Daily |volume=11 |issue=302 |location=Mildura, Australia |date=5 October 1931 |access-date=30 January 2024 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Ralph Wilson (1865 – 10 December 1930)<ref name=Argus1930>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4236098 |title=Personal |newspaper=The Argus |issue=26,313 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=13 December 1930 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> married Agnes Kirkwood Twaddell (1870–1946) in 1896,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8898074 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=The Argus |issue=15,532 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=11 April 1896 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and had a home "Benarty", in High Street, Malvern. He seems to have been a respected employer,<ref name=Age1931/> but nothing has been found of his brother Richard's involvement, apart from his retirement in 1906.<ref name=Argus1930/> Apart from robberies<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11929118 |title=Bandits in Motor-car |newspaper=The Argus |issue=28,137 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=24 October 1936 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and vandalism,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205028514 |title=Vandals in Factory |newspaper=The Age |issue=23,138 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=5 June 1929 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> the company was never in the news; they established the Willow brand in the 1920s, making billies, Coolgardie safes, etc.;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article254223223 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette |volume=LXX |issue=274 |location=Toowoomba, Australia |date=1 October 1931 |access-date=30 January 2024 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> became W., M., Y., and A. H. Wilson Ltd.<ref name=Age1931>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article203723181 |title=Family Notices |newspaper=The Age |issue=23,921 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=10 December 1931 |access-date=7 March 2023 |page=1 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> They later moved to Tullamarine, and now only make plastic products.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://northern.starweekly.com.au/uncategorized/1804842-willow-ware-australia-a-journey-from-tin-cans-to-robots/ |title=Willow Ware Australia: A journey from tin cans to robots |date=22 June 2014 |access-date=7 March 2023}}</ref> Since 2018 owned by Decor Corporation, a subsidiary of Marlin Management Services.}}
Nylex started making the plastic-cased Esky in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 September 1950|title=Esky auto box invented by Malleys - Australian food history timeline|url=https://australianfoodtimeline.com.au/1952-the-esky-invented/|access-date=2 January 2022|website=Australian Food Timeline}}</ref> In 1993 Nylex was still defending their ownership of the Esky trademark,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127254736 |title=Advertising |newspaper=Canberra Times |volume=68 |issue=21,429 |location=Canberra, Australia |date=16 December 1993 |access-date=5 February 2023 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> but by 2002 they had allowed it to lapse.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trademarkelite.com/australia/trademark/trademark-detail/907155/The-Esky |title=The Esky Australia Trademark Information |publisher=Trademark Elite |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>
Outdoor recreation company Coleman bought the Esky brands from Nylex after the company went into administration in February 2009, and later that year Coleman was producing most of the Esky line in Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25724296-662,00.html | title=American company Coleman buys Esky from ailing Nylex | work=Herald Sun| date=2 July 2009 |access-date=25 January 2015 | author=Higginbottom, Nick}}</ref><ref name="coolplan">{{cite news | url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=AGE090815CM5QI7FDK1N | title=Cool plan to take rescued Esky to the world | work=The Age | date=15 August 2009 | access-date=25 January 2015 | author=Oakes, Dan}}</ref><ref name="coleman-esky">{{cite web | url=http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/products/Esky | title=Esky | publisher=The Coleman Company | access-date=25 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131120063625/http://www.colemanaustralia.com.au/products/Esky |archive-date=20 November 2013 }}</ref> The sale was seen as symptomatic of the decline of Australian-made goods due to cheaper imports.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Millmow |first1=Alex |title=They've taken my Esky away |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/theyve-taken-my-esky-away-20090708-ddek.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 July 2009 }}</ref>
==Construction== Current models are constructed with two layers: polypropylene on the outer shell, with a polyurethane inner layer. This makes it lightweight and portable with excellent insulation. The original Esky had a lightweight galvanized iron outer shell and lining,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.questacon.edu.au/indepth/clever/lamingtons.html | title=Wine Casks, Eskys and Lamingtons | publisher=Questacon| access-date=25 January 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516001945/http://www.questacon.edu.au/indepth/clever/lamingtons.html | archive-date=16 May 2010}}</ref> and used cork compound insulation.<ref name="Playing">{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=SMH021012JAGQ33ACA8E|title=Playing it cool|first=John |last=Newton|date=12 October 2002|work=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> Later models had a plastic inner and polystyrene foam insulation. Later coolers have been moulded entirely from polystyrene foam. They are lightweight and inexpensive, but are easily damaged or destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=AGE031209K5PAH0Q83QE|title=Case of the chills|first=Willie |last=Simpson|date= 9 December 2003|work=The Age}}</ref>
The lightweight construction makes most eskies float in water, and they have been recommended by safety specialists to be used as an improvised lifebuoy, if more specialised equipment is not available.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136973415 |title=Esky a lifesaver. |newspaper=The Canberra Times |location=ACT |date=5 January 1979 |access-date=11 March 2015 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Numerous people have been saved after using either the whole esky or the esky lid as flotation devices after boating accidents.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122258947 |title=Esky keeps man afloat 25 hours. |newspaper=Canberra Times |location=Canberra |date=2 May 1989 |access-date=11 March 2015 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-05/four-rescued-as-boat-sinks-off-sydney/3759658|title=Four rescued as boat sinks off Sydney|first=Mark |last=Tobin|date=5 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news24.com/xArchive/Archive/Another-Oz-shark-victim-20001127|title=Another Oz shark victim?|website=ABC News|date=27 November 2000}}</ref>
==Generic use== In Australia, the 'esky' name has become, or as a legal matter nearly has become, genericised: the popularity of the product has led to the use of its name to refer to any cooler box, regardless of the brand. Many dictionaries, including the Australian National Dictionary and the Macquarie Dictionary, now include definitions in their publications defining it as such.<ref name="coolplan" /><ref name="macquarie">{{cite book | title=The Macquarie essential dictionary | publisher=The Macquarie Library| year=2005 | location=Sydney | pages=263 | isbn=1-876429-07-0}}</ref> However, the use of the Esky trademark must be approved by the brand owner to avoid any liability.
Government agencies and media outlets in Australia have used the term in preference to generic alternatives.
==In Australian culture== thumb|Adelaide beach scene 1965, an Esky may be seen at centre. The esky has played a unique role in Australian culture, especially with regard to outdoor activities, camping, and sporting events, and for reasons of novelty.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://from.ph/354260 |title=Esky by Malley's |author=Powerhouse Museum |access-date=12 March 2015 |publisher=Powerhouse Museum, Australia}}</ref> In particular, the design and use of the esky has evolved through its relationship with Australia's drinking culture. The first portable Esky was designed to carry six "standard" 26 fluid ounce (740{{nbsp}}ml) bottles as well as a triple level food section.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57336359 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton|date=20 August 1954 |access-date=12 March 2015 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Malley's Esky was created as a tool for camping and caravanning holidays and was called the Esky Auto Box, encouraged by the post-war popularity of the private motor vehicle.<ref name=Santich/> The esky became an essential part of the beach, outdoor dining and barbecue culture that developed in Australia during the 60s and 70s.<ref name=Santich/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=nstore&docID=news931023_0031_8972|title=An Esky for all occasions|first1=Jill |last1=Dupleix|first2=Mark |last2=Shield|date=23 October 1993|work=The Sunday Age}}</ref> Due to their portability and extensive use outdoors, an esky can also double as makeshift cricket stumps, with some companies making hybrid products that include retractable stumps (among other useful features such as a bottle opener).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cricket Cooler - Backyard Cricket Stumps with a 33 Litre Cooler {{!}} Catch.com.au|url=https://www.catch.com.au/product/cricket-cooler-backyard-cricket-stumps-with-a-33-litre-cooler-1120983/|access-date=2021-03-22|website=www.catch.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cricket Cooler {{!}} Halfords UK|url=https://www.halfords.com/camping/coolboxes/cricket-cooler-595873.html|access-date=2021-03-22|website=www.halfords.com|language=en}}</ref>
Though not unique to Australia, Australian media have widely reported on a number of high-profile incidents involving motorised eskies fitted with small motors and wheels. Police have impounded offending vehicles and have issued fines to those operating them on public property.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jefferson|first1=Andrew|title=Rosebud man fined for driving Esky without a licence|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/rosebud-man-fined-for-driving-esky-without-a-licence/news-story/7b02a48758042b8fd922a094e861109d|publisher=Herald Sun|date=18 January 2015|access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Adelaide man riding motorised Esky reported for driving unlicensed, unregistered vehicle|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-06/sa-police-report-driver-for-riding-motorised-esky/6002476|work=ABC News|date=6 January 2015|access-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>
Spectators at the closing ceremony at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney each received a promotional pack of a small polystyrene Esky containing other items of memorabilia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://from.ph/345951 |title=2001/84/28 Promotional kit, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, cardboard / polystyrene / metal / plastic / paper, Sydney, 2000|access-date=12 March 2015 |publisher=Powerhouse Museum, Sydney}}</ref>
In another uniquely Australian piece of culture, poly-foam bodyboards used in the surf are often referred to by the slang term, "Esky-lid”, or “shark biscuit”.
==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.esky.com.au/ Esky Coolers, Ice Boxes and Ice Packs | Esky]
Category:Australian companies established in 1884 Category:Australian brands Category:Brands that became generic Category:Food preservation Category:Cooler manufacturers Category:Vacuum flasks Category:Australian subsidiaries of foreign companies Category:Camping equipment manufacturers