From its beginning in 1979,
Umbra was about bringing affordable design to everyday items.

In those days, the word "design" was equated with words like "serious, expensive, arrogant."

After introducing innovative products like window shades, clocks and placements, Umbra introduced the first "cute" trash can. Umbra's
co-founder, Les Mandelbaum, was in a toy store in Paris in 1985 and
noticed a tiny colorful plastic swing-top garbage can. "Why not make it bigger, in different colors and finishes?" The Umbra swing-top has become the biggest volume product in its history, with many millions
sold and still selling.

Les continues the story "After a few years we were thinking of different shapes for trash cans. We met Karim Rashid in Toronto, where he was a DJ at a downtown party. He had just exited a clothing company and was trained in product design. After some
discussions about our swing-top can, he sketched the GARBO can almost exactly as it is shaped today.

Our team also realized that if it was smaller, it would be great for bathrooms and bedrooms. Open top cans were not used in kitchens and although it is a great office can, the buyer that chooses office materials is rarely motivated by esthetics. The smaller GARBINO was and is still a hit. Millions sold. Getting close to our
swing-top sales.

At Umbra, our staff helps us to name over 400 new products every year. More than 99% of our names are generated from this team. One of our sales managers, Lori Cheeseman, was shown the design, and when asked what she thought it should be called she simply replied, "Garbo." "I drew
inspiration not only from the word "garbage" but also from the shape of the can". A one- of- a- kind, GARBO featured sexy and feminine curves,
like the actress Greta Garbo. Today, the design is still kicking around under the name GARBINO and has a smaller apprentice, the GARBINI. The cans are now environmentally friendly and still very appealing.

A STAR WAS BORN.