1932
The Zero Hour Bomb Company, maker of electric time bombs for oil drilling, is
incorporated in Tulsa, Oklahoma
1947
A West Texas watchmaker named R.D. Hull gets the idea for a new fishing reel after watching a meat counter
clerk pull string from a fixed spool
1947
After a friend quips that the Standard resembles a beer can, Hull demonstrates his American ingenuity (and
sense of humor) by making a joke version with an actual can.
1947
Hull takes his idea to Zero Hour Bomb Company and the world’s first spincast reel is born, guaranteed to
never backlash
1949
The first “Standard” spincast reels roll off the line on Friday the 13th in May 1949
1950
George Goetz, Zebco’s first sales rep, demonstrates the reel’s ease of use with casting tricks – even wearing
boxing gloves
1950
Zebco’s Texas rep, Bill Carter, sets world record for most casts without a backlash (3,453 casts in 14 hours
and 14 minutes)
1950
The Zebco booth attracts crowds at sport shows across the country
1950
Yep, even Castro got caught up in the Zebco craze
1954
The original Zebco 33 is introduced, selling for $19.50
1956
A friend of President Eisenhower asks the company to send a reel to the White House. When security sees the
package labeled “Zero Hour Bomb Co” they plunge it into a tub of water and call the bomb squad!
1956
Zero Hour Bomb Company officially changes name to Zebco
1959
Zebco introduces the first ever youth combo (Zebco Junior)
1960
Zebco introduces the first “balanced” tackle combos, matching reel to rod (77,88,99,101)
1960
A young Mickey Mantle and television’s “Tonto” check out the latest Zebco reels at a New York sports show
1961
Zebco introduces the 202 “ZeeBee” spincast, an instant classic
1961
The company is acquired by Brunswick Corporation
1966
Zebco builds and moves into current Tulsa headquarters
1975
R.D. Hull is inducted into the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame – at the time 70 million Zebco have been sold
1976
Zebco becomes the first fishing tackle manufacturer to advertise on US network TV
1977
R.D Hull passes away at the age of 77
1989
Rhino rods set a new standard for tough fishing tackle
1991
Zebco acquires Martin Fly Fishing
1999
Zebco celebrates 50 years of making fishing tackle
2003
Omega, our most full-featured, high-performance spincast design makes its debut.
2004
The new Zebco 33 Platinum comes out with an all-metal body and all-metal gears.
2005
The Zebco 33 makes an appearance in “Walk The Line” when Johnny and June go fishing together
2008
Hawg Seeker & Bite Alert™ hits the shelf with audible and visual fish strike alarms.
2009
The Zebco 202, 404 & 606 get a total redesign to make these popular favorites even better.
2011
Zebco takes serious spincasting up another notch with the new Omega Pro.
2014
Zebco introduces an all-new Zebco 33 for the 60th anniversary
Hull takes his idea to Zero Hour Bomb Company and the world's first spincast reel is born, guaranteed to never backlash
The first "Standard" spincast reels roll off the line
After a friend quips that the Standard resembles a beer can, Hull demonstrates his American ingenuity (and sense of humor) by making a joke version with an actual can
George Goetz, Zebco's first sales rep, demonstrates the reel's ease of use with casting tricks – even wearing boxing gloves
The Zebco booth attracts crowds at sport shows across the country
The original Zebco 33 is introduced, selling for $19.50
Zero Hour Bomb Company officially changes name to Zebco
Zebco's Texas rep, Bill Carter, sets world record for most casts without a backlash (3,453 casts in 14 hours and 14 minutes)
Zebco introduces the first ever youth combo (Zebco Junior)
Yep, even Castro got caught up in the Zebco craze
Zebco introduces the first "balanced" tackle combos, matching reel to rod (77,88,99,101)
A young Mickey Mantle and television's "Tonto" check out the latest Zebco reels at a New York sports show
The company is acquired by Brunswick Corporation
R.D. Hull is inducted into the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame – at the time 70 million Zebco have been sold
Zebco acquires Martin Fly Fishing
Omega, our most full-featured, high-performance spincast design makes its debut
Hawg Seeker & Bite Alert™ hits the shelf with audible and visual fish strike alarms
The Zebco 202, 404 & 606 get a total redesign to make these popular favorites even better
Zebco takes serious spincasting up another notch with the new Omega Pro
Zebco introduces an all-new Zebco 33 for the 60th anniversary
