The Early Years
Thomas C. Hamilton was a Sergeant in WW1. After the war, he was a commercial soft drink salesman in Denver, CO. He married Mauline STARR. At some point, they moved to Boston, Massachusetts where Hamilton was a manager at the Whistle soda syrup factory. Whistle was bottled in Newport News around this time, possibly by the Newport News Bottling Company which Raymond Brown owned. It's safe to assume they met through the soft drink industry, possibly at a conference or through the Whistle bottling operations.
Around this time, Hamilton was dealing with a lingering respiratory illness he picked up while deployed in France, possibly complications due to mustard gas exposure. Brown made a deal with the Hamilton's to buy their patent for $10 and "other considerations" unknown, shortly before the patent was issued.
Hamilton died from tuberculosis in 1929 at the age of 46. I believe he sold the patent due to his illness and it's why his wife was so involved, even being listed as a partner and doing business under her name: Mauline Starr Hamilton. One of the considerations may have required Brown to use the STARR name to honor his wife, but I'm certain that's where STARR originated. In the original trademark document, Brown claimed STARR was being used in association with the openers since December 1924.
***The above data was discovered by historical researcher, Dan Marlis***
1916
Raymond Brown opens his Coca-Cola Bottling Works business at 33rd and Huntington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia
1924
September 18, 1924 - Thomas Hamilton files USA Patent application #738385
November 22, 1924 - Patent application claims are rejected citing previous Emrick & Eckerts patents
December 17, 1924 - Hamilton sends patent office amended patent claims to rectify issues
1925
January 9, 1925 - Patent office excepts rectified claims issues patent application allowed, patent will be issued
March 20, 1925 - Patent application fee of $20.00 is paid to patent government office
April 15, 1925 - Thomas Hamilton assigns full and exclusive rights of his patent application #738385 to Raymond M. Brown
April 15, 1925 - Mauline S. Hamilton sells M. S. Hamilton business and all rights, title and interests of invention to Raymond M. Brown
April 21, 1925 - USA Patent 1,534,211 is issued to Hamilton application
May 26, 1925 - Raymond M. Brown applies to Incorporate Brown Manufacturing Company name
June 4, 1925 - Fee paid to Newport News city to incorporate name
June 8, 1925 - Raymond M. Brown incorporates Brown Manufacturing Company
1926
July 6, 1926 - STARR trademark name registered
September 9, 1926 - Canadian Patent for Three-Hole "Inverted Starr" is issued (used on early Icy-O machines)
1927
May 1, 1927 - The STARR Standard ad is advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1928
March 14, 1928 - Letter to Bottlers announcing the "Liquid Carbonic Company" adopting the STARR X openers to be installed on their machines
1929
May 1, 1929 - The "New" STARR X stationary opener ad is advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler magazine"
1930
January 1, 1930 - The STARR X Plan in how to Develop Home Trade with a free Coca-Cola bottle opener installed and delivering Coca-Cola to the customers doorstep is advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1932
July 1, 1932 - STARR X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
November 1, 1932 - Starr X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1933
August 1, 1933 – Houston, Texas Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1935
September 1, 1935 – Miami, Flordia Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
December 1, 1935 – Chicago, Illinois Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1936
January 1, 1936 – STARR X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
March 1, 1936 – STARR X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
April 1, 1936 – STARR X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
January 25, 1936 – Brown Manufacturing Company Incorporated charter is amended
October 1, 1936 - STARR X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1937
Raymond Brown opens a newly constructed Coca Cola Bottling Plant at 3200 Huntington Ave., Newport News, VA
March 16, 1937 – STARR X trademark name registered
August 1, 1937 – Grand Rapids, Michigan Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
November 1, 1937 – Brown Mfg. Invites bottlers to visit them at the A.B.C.B. Exposition in New Orleans, November 15th-19th
1938
March 1, 1938 – Lake Charles, Louisiana, Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
June 1, 1938 – Dayton, Ohio Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
July 1, 1938 – Toledo, Ohio Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1941
January 1, 1941 – Atlanta, Georgia Coca-Cola Distributor adopting the STARR X Plan Developing Home trade listed in "The Cola-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1942
January 1, 1942 – STARR X Plan advertised in "The Coca-Cola Bottler Magazine"
1943
November 2, 1943 – STARR X Patent 2333088 is issued to Raymond Brown
1949
November 1, 1949 – STARR trademark name renewed
1960
November 2, 1960 – STARR X Patent 2333088 Expires
1974
Raymond Brown jr. takes over Brown Mfg. operations
1975
Bottle opener casting production moves offshore to West Germany
1978
The Coca Cola Bottling Plant Plant in Newport News Va. is sold
October 7, 1979
Raymond "Coca Cola" Brown Sr. (1888-1979) passes away at 91
***All the data from 1916 until 1979 was compiled by historical researcher and STARR bottle opener collector, Harold John Ebner Jr.***
1984
Raymond Brown, Jr. tragically passes away in a self-built plane crash during an aviation event.
1989
The business is sold to Borden James, a longtime neighbor of the Brown family, who continues the operations as James Industries A/K/A Brown Manufacturing Company.
1995
The company relocates within Newport News, and some of its historical materials are lost during the move. New address is 704 Gumrock Court, Newport News, Virginia
1996
Brown Manufacturing concludes its Coca-Cola retail license arrangement, allowing Trademark Marketing International to take it over.
1998
In June, ownership of Brown Manufacturing transitioned to Barbara Brim, owner of Trademark Marketing International, and the company moved to Alpharetta, Georgia. Operations continued under the leadership of David Brim, marking the start of a new chapter in the STARR legacy.
That summer and fall, improvements to production and packaging began immediately. Drying boards were redesigned for higher capacity, and custom tools were built in-house to streamline packing and painting processes.
By December, Brown Mfg. was receiving openers in bulk and painting up to 2,000 pieces daily using modified hand rollers.
Also in 1998, the domain www.BottleOpener.com was secured, laying the groundwork for the brand’s online presence.
1999
This year marked several product and packaging innovations, including the launch of a distinctive open-faced STARR “X” retail box. Brown introduced retail-friendly packaging formats for Coca-Cola and launched a 50-piece point-of-purchase shipper.
New licensing deals led to the release of officially branded collegiate openers for universities like Alabama, Nebraska, and Georgia.
The website was also updated to showcase vintage designs and offer limited direct retail sales—orders paid by check!
In December, the company introduced its first automatic pad printer, drastically increasing output to 5,000–8,500 decorated pieces per day, while improving consistency and quality.
2000
The new millennium brought more product expansion, including pad-printed "Plain" STARR “X” openers and the reintroduction of the iconic Coca-Cola CO4 retro design.
More collegiate designs joined the lineup, and new partnerships were formed, including a custom STARR opener for Harley-Davidson fans.
By year’s end, the website pivoted to support wholesale customers by linking to retail partners, reducing in-house retail operations.
2001
Brown experimented with overseas sourcing for castings, though initial results fell short of quality expectations. Despite this, product innovation continued:
– A custom STARR opener for John Deere (using a German-made casting) debuted in May.
– An Econocorp E-System 2000 cartoner was added to streamline boxing and improve efficiency.
– The cap catcher line expanded with stainless and trapezoid-shaped options in various colors.
Rolling carts replaced traditional wooden drying tables to enhance production flow.
2002
In July, Brown introduced a STARR bottle opener tailored for Home Depot shoppers, using a German casting.
Later that year, collegiate openers were discontinued due to limited distribution and demand.
2003
A second pad printer - a TampoPrint with advanced features—was added to the production line, increasing print flexibility and speed while supporting a growing number of custom projects.
2004
STARR "X" continued expanding with new custom openers, including the Play Fender and an embossed Guinness design. That fall, a major retail milestone was reached when Restoration Hardware stocked a 'Plain' STARR "X" opener in retro-style boxes inspired by our 1930's packaging.
Brown Manufacturing also relocated to East Decatur Station in Decatur, GA - a 3,500 sq. ft. facility just a mile from David Brim’s home.
December brought record sales and a large shipment of improved plain castings from China, marked with a “33” on the back.
2005
Brown welcomed its first Decatur-based employee, Tammy Ballard, and introduced a premium stainless-steel opener—available in polished and brushed finishes.
Later that year, in a private, family-held sale, David Brim became the sole owner of Brown Manufacturing, with full rights to the STARR trademark restored to the company.
2006
Manufacturing scaled up again with the addition of faster cartoning equipment and printing systems, helping boost production capacity.
New openers launched for brands like FANTA, Sprite, Barq’s, and DW (Drum Workshop), all cast in Germany.
Brown debuted a marketing video, added a laser engraver, redesigned product packaging, and refreshed the company website.
By year’s end, The Coca-Cola Company & Brown made the decision to end their 80-year relationship, closing a long-standing chapter in its history.
2007
This year was dubbed "The Year of the Cap Catcher" at Brown, with a variety of new plastic and anodized aluminum catchers added to complement the bottle openers.
Retail packaging was reimagined to emphasize that a wall-mounted opener is best paired with a catcher.
Wholesale buying minimums were reduced to attract new resellers, and a new anodized aluminum catcher was introduced in response to customer preferences.
Later in the year, Brown returned to stainless steel catchers while also redesigning its retail boxes and re-launching its website using X-Cart. Online sales began gaining traction, contributing 2.7% of total gross sales.
In December, Brown launched a custom stainless-steel Balashi STARR opener, showcasing its global capabilities.
2008
The shift toward e-commerce continued.
Brown integrated ShipWorks to streamline online shipping, reduced paper wholesale catalogs in favor of digital PDFs, and restructured pricing strategies to better understand profitability.
Inspired by the book Small Giants, David Brim reaffirmed the company’s commitment to craft and quality over unchecked growth.
Later that year, Brown began selling directly on Amazon, just as the global financial crisis disrupted many traditional retail channels.
By the end of 2008, online sales made up 12% of total gross sales, cementing digital as a key part of the business going forward.
2009
After a 29-month downturn, Brown Mfg. Company reached a low point in early 2009. In June, a key wholesale distributor, Trademark Marketing International, closed, compounding the impact. Despite these challenges, a turning point came when Barbara Brim joined the team part-time in October.
By December, online sales accounted for 22.3% of total gross sales. Though total units sold were at an all-time low, Brown recorded its most profitable year to date - a testament to operational improvements and the power of online commerce. November 1, 2009 - STARR trademark name renewed
2010
The Bottle Cap Mount STARR "X" opener debuted—allowing customers to personalize their opener with their favorite bottle cap.
The company also embraced new thinking around niche products and resonance marketing, finding inspiration in The Long Tail concept and Wall Street Journal articles.
A custom SUPREME branded STARR "X" opener was produced, and Brown prepared to replace the outdated patent number on openers with BottleOpener.com, a strategic move aligned with trademark best practices.
New systems like T-Hub were adopted to streamline sales across X-Cart, Amazon, and QuickBooks.
2011
After 6.5 years at East Decatur Station, Brown moved to a larger 7,400 sq. ft. facility in Avondale Estates, a former ice cream and broom factory.
The company expanded its product line, launched a dedicated custom opener website, and introduced a redesigned one-piece stainless steel cap catcher.
New partnerships brought USA-made zinc aluminum castings, including debossed designs like Rebel Flag and Made in the USA.
Sales peaked online, and a new dual-color pad printer was added to keep pace with demand.
2012
Brown fulfilled large custom orders for Nicaraguan breweries, producing 10,000+ Made-in-USA STARR openers.
The STARR box design was updated to promote CustomOpeners.com, while printing equipment was upgraded for better efficiency.
In December, Brown opted not to renew its MillerCoors license, staying true to its independent direction.
2013
Harold J. Eblen Jr. researched, wrote and published the most comprehensive book on old STARR bottle openers out there. The name is, “Guide to Collecting Brown Manufacturing Company STARR Bottle Openers Since 1925”. Published exclusively on www.Amazon.com.
Barbara Brim retired, and Brown welcomed new full-time employee John McBrayer, a familiar face from the Trademark Marketing Days.
Brown stopped selling directly through Amazon Seller Central and began exporting to Australia.
A fiber laser was acquired to improve in-house printing operations, and the custom site was reabsorbed into BottleOpener.com, now featuring LiveART for basic customization.
Fall brought a renewed focus on process documentation and brand heritage, including trades with collectors and acquiring vintage matchplates.
A new stainless-steel STARR opener (PW on the back) design was produced—modeled after the German casting, marking a one-time shift in appearance.
2014
In January, longtime packaging partner Economy Folding Box Company closed, prompting changes in how STARR boxes were produced.
That same month, the Corona Extra opener debuted without a patent number or URL, in line with evolving legal practices.
Brown established retirement accounts for team members, brought in a LogoJet digital printer, and recovered key pieces of STARR history from legendary picker, Clayton Denny, in Newport News.
The company refined its vision through continued work with Allegro Consulting, removed web addresses from printed packaging, and closed the year with record-breaking sales.
2015–2019
The five years between 2015 and 2019 were some of the most challenging in Brown Mfg. Company’s history. Sales declined steadily, reaching a low point in 2019. Still, this era saw important innovations, investments in equipment and design, and a deepening of the company’s commitment to quality over quantity.
2015
Early in the year, Brown acquired a 50-watt Epilog Fusion fiber laser and continued refining packaging and product customization strategies. A partnership with a German foundry led to the development of an insert mold system, allowing for limited runs of embossed openers like Home Brewed, Open Beer Here, and The Man Cave—all with lower tooling costs.
A major platform change to Magento via DesignNBuy was launched to support mobile-friendly, long-tail retail sales. Though the transition faced setbacks, it reflected Brown’s ambition to modernize its online operations.
2016
Brown shipped its largest order to date—200,000 plain STARR "X" openers to a major client. The team introduced a line of bottle opener art boards, stained and laser-engraved, and experimented with a cold gun-blued finish on select castings.
In parallel, Brown began implementing UPC labeling for inventory and used MailChimp for targeted email marketing.
Website updates and digital modeling efforts continued, but online holiday sales fell short of expectations.
2017
This year brought difficult decisions. The team reduced staff hours, said goodbye to longtime employee John McBrayer, and made another e-commerce transition back to FinestShops, still using the Magento framework.
Investments in new equipment - like a toner-based OKI LaserJet printer—helped improve production reliability, and new tools for wood staining and drying were developed in-house to support the growing art board category.
2018
Brown explored bronze casting using vintage molds and continued refining 3D models of the STARR "X" opener. In December, the company launched a new website built on the NopCommerce platform, offering a cleaner, more user-friendly experience with free shipping on smaller orders. Development was led by designer Manni Barros, who contributed his services in exchange for a small percentage of sales.
2019
Brown invested in a Haas CNC mill and received expert training to expand in-house tooling capabilities.
While the year marked a low in sales, it also represented a turning point: the beginning of a strategic shift toward higher-value products and smaller, more intentional runs—a vision that had been forming for years. The foundation was being laid for a more focused, craft-driven future.
2020–2025
As the world faced a pandemic and economic instability, Brown Mfg. Company entered a new era of change. These years were marked by adaptation, reflection, and a renewed commitment to what has always mattered most—quality craftsmanship and honoring the STARR brand’s legacy.
2020
The year began with a return to DecoNetwork, launching new customer-specific websites like CustomOpeners.com and WholesaleBottleOpeners.com. COVID-19 disrupted business worldwide, and Brown felt the impact despite early sales gains. In response, the company focused on small-batch deep-engraved openers and secured a Pabst licensing deal. A portion of the warehouse was leased to metalworker Cash Barnes, offsetting costs, and year-end sales showed a small but meaningful increase.
2021
Upgraded master pack packaging for 100-count boxes and acquired another 50-watt fiber laser, deepening the shift toward premium engraving. The Pabst license expired, and a new sub-tenant, letterpress artist Julie Franklin, took over part of the facility. Mid-year, Brown phased out CNC machining to fully commit to laser engraving. Despite missing goals, the company closed the year with 15% growth and the highest average opener price to date.
2022
Rebuilt the website again, this time around four customer types, and launched a “Weekly Engraved Opener” series inspired by vintage soda and beer labels. Products were listed on FAIRE and RangeMe, and a pitch to LOWE'S nearly led to a retail partnership. Though not successful, the visibility was valuable, and product branding continued to evolve.
2023
Partnered with Valet Seller to expand into Amazon, Kroger, and Walmart. Limited runs of 3D-printed STARR "X" openers were released using a bronze/steel alloy, establishing 2024 copyrights. Began exploring new directions, including a potential canned water pivot, before shelving it in favor of core focus. Finished the year with record low sales, prompting serious financial evaluation.
2024
Tested listing the business on BizBuySell, but traction was limited. Ended partnerships that weren't delivering, including Valet Seller. Dr Peter Thomas retired. Revisited U.S. manufacturing ahead of the 100-year anniversary, using original STARR "X" match plates and US foundries. Cleared $17,000 of dead inventory and repurposed equipment to stay lean. Brown ended the year with a contained loss.
