The Edward Lowe Foundation has donated its archival records to Hagley Library. Edward Lowe (1920-1995), a pioneer in the development of the cat box filler industry, invented clay-based Kitty Litter in 1947. Prior to Kitty Litter, most domestic cats went out of doors to relieve themselves, although some feline owners used ashes and sand in rudimentary litter boxes. Lowe’s use of fuller’s earth clay was a cleaner alternative and enabled more cats to live indoors. Eventually in the United States, the number of cats as household companions outnumbered dogs.
Lowe built a billion dollar industry with Kitty Litter and Tidy Cat brands. In 1985 Lowe and his wife Darlene established the Edward Lowe Foundation with a mission to “champion the entrepreneurial spirit.” The Foundation, located in Cassopolis, Michigan, focuses on second-stage growth entrepreneurs, providing educational and recognition programs.
The Edward Lowe Foundation collection spans 1944 to 1998 and documents the development of the cat box filler industry and the operations of Edward Lowe Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Records include corporate files, photographs and moving images, advertisements, and packaging. Lowe’s personal papers tell his entrepreneurial story and include his writings.
For additional information about the Edward Lowe Foundation records, please contact us at askhagley@hagley.org.
Lynn Catanese is Chief Curator of Library Collections, Manuscripts and Archives Department at Hagley.