Gebhard Keny is the father of Lustro-Ware.  A Harvard graduate, Gebhard took over a Columbus, Ohio plastics molding firm in the late 1930s. The line of products he produced was originally coined Columbus Plastics Products and then later became well-known under the Lustro-Ware line.  Gebhard used a new type of technology in plastics production that allowed for a good product at a decent price for consumers.  The company formed their own in-house design staff and production soared.  They became known for blow molding items such as waste baskets and water cans (very popular on Ebay) and then produced thermoplastic canister sets which are still popular today.

LIFE magazine of October 4, 1948 focused on production in America and Columbus Plastics was included in this write up.  The one page feature displayed this great inside shot of the woman at work-LIFE commented on the plastic boom in the States & how Columbus Plastics Products was a part of this increase in plastics manufacturing.  In the year this article was published, Columbus Plastics was able to make a $2million business from a $400,000 investment.  Production continued through the 1950s and during this time plastic doilies became one of the items made by Columbus Plastics.  These doilies are also popular items on Ebay today. Starting in the 1960s, the simple look of the products started to fade and more ornate styles came into production.  In 1966, the company was bought by the Borden Company and the Lustro-Ware line, while stile being produced, slowly faded into the background.

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