The Alexandria plant was closed June 30, 1952 after the death of inventor and designer Eugene Schwarz. At that time all molds for the glass kerosene and electric lamps were sold as scrap and destroyed. The lamp manufacturing operations, by now greatly reduced, were moved from Alexandria to Nashville. Domestic sales of kerosene lamps declined significantly during the ensuing years. Inexpensive glass and aluminum lamps made in Brazil were sold mostly for utility and emergency use. Export sales and the demand for replacement parts were sufficient to keep lamps in the company inventory. The production of Aladdin electric lamps ceased in 1956.
A Resurgence.

The Aladdin kerosene lamp gained a resurgence of renewed interest when the company began importing attractive brass lamps from England in 1967 and reissued its 601 shade in 1971 and the Short Lincoln Drape in 1974. Many colors of the Short Lincoln Drapes have since been made and the variety of lamps and shades has gradually increased—a big change from the previous decade—to capture the nostalgia of years past. Special limited edition lamps were made to commemorate Aladdin’s 70th anniversary in 1978 and its 75th in 1983. Several decorator lamps were added during this period as well as special designs for L.L. Bean and Eddie Bauer. Aladdin has commissioned the Fenton Art Glass Co. to make lamps since 1991. The Grand Vertique, the first new lamp design in many years, was created in 1994.

The Aladdin Knights, an eclectic collector organization formed in 1973 to collect and preserve Aladdin memorabilia. The Aladdin Knights created much interest in Aladdin lamps and today sponsor an international lamp show and sale. Their website is www.aladdinknights.org.
V. S. Johnson, Jr. retired as chairman of Aladdin Industries in 1985. His son, Victor S. Johnson III, District Attorney General, Nashville, currently serves as vice-chairman on the Board of Directors.
Aladdin sold its health care and food service systems, formerly known as Aladdin Synergetics, to the Welbilt Corporation in 1998. The new operation under Welbilt is called Aladdin Temp-Rite.
Aladdin Industries Inc. reorganized in 1999, changed to Aladdin Industries LLC and Ari Chaney replaced Fred Meyer as President and CEO.
Today the principal items manufactured by Aladdin Industries LLC are glass and stainless steel vacuum bottles; Stanley bottles and mugs; workmen’s lunch boxes; several insulated beverageware items; flashlight products; and related outdoor hunting accessories.
Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company
In August 1998 Bill Courter and Tom Teeter approached Aladdin to buy the Lamp Division. With 11 additional investors from the Aladdin Knights, plus a share of ownership by Aladdin, the new company was formed and the transaction closed in April 1999.
The Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company is proud to continue the 90-year tradition of manufacturing Aladdin lamps—the finest non-electric lamp in the world. The company is building a new home for the Aladdin lamp in Clarksville, Tennessee.


                     early 1900's   the beginning   the war years   changing of the guard