Polar was incorporated in Philadelphia in 1912 by M.R. Landes.

The company's first product was the Non-Shine Chair Pad™, a wool pad designed to protect men's trousers from the shine caused by sitting on wooden chair seats.

(actual ad. shown to right)

The company's 1918 catalog was entitled "Practical Office Articles". It included 32 pages of useful desk accessory items. (actual ads shown below)