Hopkins was founded in Emporia Kansas by E. L. (?Bud?) and R. E. (?Gene?) Hopkins in 1953 with auto body repair tools beginning with the Dial-Pick an adjustable pneumatic pick hammer; this was followed by an invention that forever changed the way automotive headlights were installed. Hopkins embraced plastic resin technology to help make aimer lighter more durable and more accurate. This technology was adapted to winter tools and in 1975 the company introduced the Bear Claw ice scraper and the Super Deluxe snowbrush which created the category at retail from what traditionally had been a give-away item from your insurance agent or local gas station. This changed the course of the company transforming from a body shop focused tool maker into a consumer products company. Over the ensuing years Hopkins has become the number 1 developer manufacturer and seller of winter snow and ice tools.