Kiwi Shoe Polish to Get New Owners
Uploaded on Flickr by minnetonkafelix
The iconic kiwi shoe polish is to get new owners as Sara Lee is preparing to divest itself of it’s household products division.
Kiwi shoe polish was first made in Melbourne Australia in 1906Â by Scottish expatriates William Ramsay and Hamilton McKellan. Their formula was a major improvement on previous formulas. It preserved shoe leather, made it shine, and restored color. By the time Kiwi Dark Tan was released in 1908, it incorporated agents that added suppleness and water resistance. Australian-made boot polish was then considered the world’s best.
As of 2005[update] it is sold in almost 180 countries. It is the dominant shoe polish in some countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, Australia and New Zealand, where it has about two-thirds of the market.
This shoe polish was named by William Ramsay, who named it Kiwi as a homage to his wife, Annie Elizabeth Meek Ramsay, a New Zealander, (otherwise known as a Kiwi). Its success in Australia expanded overseas when it was adopted by both the British and American armies in World War I.
Another story was that the kiwi shoe polish was because the ANZAC (Australia New Zealand Army Corp) troops in World War I used this polish on their boots. The allied troops then nicked named the polish Kiwi, however it was clear the brand was used before the war.
Shoe polish was to be found just about everywhere Allied troops ventured. American war correspondent Walter Graeber wrote for TIME magazine from the Tobruk trenches in 1942 that “old tins of British-made Kiwi polish lay side by side with empty bottles of Chianti.” A story indicative of the rise in global significance of shoe polish is told by Jean (Gertrude) Williams, a New Zealander who lived in Japan during the Allied occupation straight after World War II. American soldiers were then finding the dullness of their boots and shoes to be a handicap when trying to win the affections of Japanese women.
When the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces arrived in Japan—all with boots polished to a degree not known in the U.S. forces—the G.I.s were more conscious than ever of their feet. The secret was found to rest not only in spit and polish, but in the superior Australian boot polish, a commodity which was soon exchanged with the Americans on a fluctuating basis of so many packets of cigarettes for one can of Kiwi boot polish.
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Kiwi is actually the only shoe polish I have ever bought. Granted I have only bought it once but it’s still got 100% of my business so far. It did work really well I just don’t polish shoes very often.
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It is funny to see how shoe polish helped American soldiers in their love life during the war, I would never think that….
Kiwi shoe polish is very popular in Croatia also and that is far, far away from Australia.
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Wow i forgot about KIWI…great pic.
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My Father was stationed in New Zealand and Australia during WWII and I don’t ever remember any other shoe polish in our house. Kiwi is still a staple around my home, even in these casual times of non-leather footwear.
Now Kiwi shoe polish is available around 198 countries, and now its introduces many new products shoe polish brest, liquid polish, white canvas polish etc etc.. In military some people have a habbit to give kiwi shoe polish as gift….
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My father had participated in WWII for British army, We are from India actually, to did a very good activity one british commander gave a Kiwi Polish to my Father. i have that polish still in my home. The Kiwi Polish have that much respect in those days.
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My father polishes his shoes all the time and uses Kiwi on a regular basis. I used to wonder as a kid if there were any other brands. Anyway, I live near N.O. – great news!
I still use KIWI liquid polish as it is one of the famous brand on shoe polish here in Nepal too. I prefer going with quality that’s why i always choose the best one for me and my personality.It’s been long this brand has ever escaped from my home.
That polish has been around since I was a kid (that’s a long time) and it amazes me that in this day and age of convenience products, its still there and probably as popular!
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I never know another brand except KIWI. I think they are the best in this market. Hope that they will keep up good quality.
Kiwi is a great product I have known all my life. Hope the new owners maintain the quality of the product
I don’t polish shoes very often. But I’ve had a can of Kiwi black and brown for about the last ten years. Are there other shoe polish brands?
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I always wondered why it was called “KIWI”. It never dawned on me that there might be a link to New Zealand.
Well, all the best to new owner. I am sure they’ll maintain the respect and quality of that product. I know Kiwi product, it has big and respective name in market.
Love Kiwi! Not only is it a delicious fruit but it also makes for good shoe polish! Thanks for the history lesson and comments!