Madewell Products was founded in 1938 by Clifford Hurd when he invented and manufactured the Madewell Electro insecticide sprayer. Many years later he sold the patented "coil mechanism" to General Electric who converted the coil into what is now known as the electric burner. GE continues to manufacture the "calrod" coil burner today. The electro sprayer is now being used as a special effects fogger in Hollywood.

In 1948, Mr. Hurd was introduced to Ian McDonald who had a great idea for a "new way of picking up golf balls" and the Original Bag Shag was born. The patent on the Original Bag Shag expired in 1980. Since then we have been in direct competition with other manufactures in the United States and overseas. Currently, the Original Bag Shag is the only retriever of its kind to be manufactured and assembled in the USA.