Through the trading posts, the English and American woolen mills found a built-in market for their blankets, the quality and designs of which were appreciated by the Native Americans who became the mills' best customers. Eager to please their Native American customers, many mills sent designers to live among the Indians in order to learn what designs and colors would appeal to the different tribes and pueblos across the United States and Canada. From the beginning, Pendleton produced high-quality blankets that eventually became the favorite Indian trade blanket. By the end of World War II, all the American woolen mills had gone out of business with the exception of Pendleton. The name Pendleton itself became a universal and generic descriptor for any of the distinctively patterned blankets, even those made by other mills.
Today there is a resurgence of interest in older trade blankets.
The pre-World War II blankets that are especially sought after by collectors were light, warm, inexpensive and easy to replace . . . As a result, few have survived in good condition. The renewed interest in trade blankets has also created a new market. We are seeing an abundance of coats, couches and teddy bears made from old and new blankets. In addition, exciting new designs are being created by Pendleton.