Draper, Inc.

About Us

The Draper story begins in 1902 with our founder, Luther O. Draper. Mr. Draper’s business philosophy was simple—to make a quality product and sell it at a reasonable price. Mr. Draper saw the problem of the sun’s heat and glare in schools—the largest buildings in most communities at that time. He addressed that problem by making and selling spring-roller window shades in Spiceland, Indiana, 40 miles east of Indianapolis.

The window shade business grew through two world wars and a depression. Today, Draper manufactures window shades for the commercial, educational, and residential markets worldwide, and is one of the country’s largest manufacturers of window shades.

In 1957, Luther Pidgeon, grandson of the founder, invented a new and uniquely durable classroom projection screen. Over time, Draper has become a leader in the audio visual industry, shipping projection screens, lifts, and other visual communications products worldwide.

In 1994, Draper entered the gymnasium equipment market, and is now proud to be the largest manufacturer of gymnasium equipment in the United States.

Today Draper is a true global citizen, with sales and manufacturing locations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Sweden shipping products throughout the world.