Peterson: Difference between revisions

I am confident that the future looks bright for the modern Peterson era of pipe manufacture.<br>

Since Tom Palmer took over the business in 1991 he has continued to create a much more efficient production cycle of the pipes being manufactured at their premises in Dublin.<br>

His emphasis has been very much on employing good skilled staff and quality traditional methods. At the same time they continue to evolve,providing the modern pipe smoker with modern choices and trends in pipe design and shapes.<br>

Tom has always believed in the old saying –“if it was not broken, don’t fix it” . Peterson had been around for over 120 years before he got involved so he decided to tread carefully before making any changes. On looking back over the years , Tom considered that most changes came, in the very large extension to the pipe range and the constant issuing of new shapes and series. He considered that at the end of the day, a pipe is a consumer led product,loosely defined and the consumer wants something new every so often.<br>

Tom also believes that,”the major changes have been re-focussing our outlook on the smoker and given him variety and something to look forward to every year. We have always stayed close to our roots –our pipes are still seen as 'traditional' and I think that this is very important”.<br>

[[File:DarwinRED2.jpg|thumb|left|400px|Darwin Deluxe 'Red' Limited Edition, Special Commission, Courtesy Jim Lilley]]Given the modern social and political climate for smoking there is hope that in spite of these turbulent times, that Peterson pipes can continue to succeed against the various global issues facing the production of quality classical pipes.<br>

Flying in the face of the condemnation of smoking on health grounds,the pipe appears to be going through a gradual upturn in popularity. No longer considered the province of older middle aged males,it appears to be gaining in popularity,particularly with significant numbers of younger people. <br>

Rising pipe tobacco sales suggest that pipe-smoking is making an unlikely comeback. Many old things eventually become trendy again and the latest yesteryear fashion making a comeback, appears to be pipe smoking. No one tracks how many young people smoke pipe tobacco. But the evidence, at least in the US, is of a renaissance.<br>

This modest increase is credited by many to retro-loving students. Facebook and MySpace have thousands of members signed up to various pipe smoking enthusiast  groups .<br>

Let us hope that Peterson continue to flourish in this new groundswell of optimism and the hope for the increased demand for quality classic pipes.