Past Meets Present: Filofax Stands Test of Time

For more than 100 years, the Filofax brand has endured a world war, recessions, cultural and technology revolutions, acquisitions and more. The resilience of our company is a testament to the dedication and fortitude of our employees and supporters. Started in 1921 as Norman and Hill Ltd. by British Army Colonel Disney and partners, the Filofax time planner ring book launched in the UK. The “file of facts” would change the future of personal stationery.

Grace Scurr and Her Filofax; Photo courtesy of FLB Group. All rights reserved.

A Storied Past

During World War II, our secretary Grace Scurr, kept a detailed organizer with customer and supplier information. In the event that our company office buildings were destroyed by bombs, she brought home important company records each night. In 1940, German troops blitzed London and our offices were destroyed. Scurr, typist turned hero, saved the company and later served as our president.

The 1980s brought a new era of success for our brand. The classic organizer was a staple in young urban professional (“yuppie”) culture. Used as an everyday accessory and status symbol, the name Filofax grew beyond the name of our company to become synonymous with the word for organizer. Showcasing the impact we had on popular culture, the classic Filofax starred in the movie “Taking Care of Business”, where a convict finds a businessman’s Filofax and assumes his identity from the information inside. The movie highlights the significance of our organizers in the daily lives of working professionals. Before the time of the mobile phone, the details of one’s life existed completely on paper.

The Future of Filofax by Design

As the digital revolution replaced many traditional paper goods with technological innovations, we endured. Our brand remains beloved by devout paper planners and hobbyists alike. We look ahead to serving new generations of enthusiasts.

Balancing both new and old styles, we carry numerous products lines with unique features and design. The Original and Heritage lines mirror the products of our past, and modern lines like the Norfolk and Saffiano highlight new trends. Carrying everything from plant-

Filofax Garden Organizer and inkLink App; Photo courtesy of FLB Group. All rights reserved.

This year, we launched an app synchronizing digital and paper planning. Users scan a custom programmed QR code that links their paper plans to the app. The app then notifies the user of time-sensitive reminders like appointments, tasks, etc. The plan and link system provides a simple solution for paper lovers on the go.

Filofax continues to evolve and integrate our traditional products with innovative elements, like the reminder app and vegan materials, showing our commitment to long-lasting relevance in an ever-changing market.

In a world where PDAs and Blackberries are now obsolete, we have outlasted the competition with our steadfastness. With technology becoming the center of daily life: school, work, recreation, and more, what do you think the future of paper planners will be? Will we revert to the traditional use of primarily paper products or dive in fully digital? Let us know your thoughts.