The History of Honeycomb Shades

Wendell Colson graduated college with an architecture degree in the mid-1970s and purchased a run-down Victorian house in Boston that he began to renovate. The home’s south-facing windows were drafty, so Colson decided to do something about it. He designed a special insulating shade in his attic and even created a machine out of wood, a motorcycle transmission, and electric drill parts to make it. In 1977, in the midst of the energy crisis, Colson successfully created the first honeycomb shade using Mylar and cardboard stiffeners. Eight years later, Colson had established his own small company and had also begun working at Hunter Douglas. Recognizing how innovative Colson’s product was, Hunter Douglas acquired Colson’s company and product in March 1985. Then Hunter Douglas launched Duette Honeycomb Shades, the first widely available honeycomb-style shades. In the 1990s, Colson developed a multi-layered version; both products are still sold by Hunter Douglas today. Additionally, many other brands now make their own honeycomb shades, which are popular for their ease of use and temperature-regulating properties.