In the 1850s, the riverboat started up in Missouri, transporting goods and supplies from the port of New Orleans up the Mississippi River. At this time, riverboats were the only form of transportation. The city of Saint Louis began to grow in population, due to its location as a trading post on the Mississippi River, as the western fur trade was lucrative. In 1879, Erkers settled in Saint Louis, with their first optical laboratory just west of the Mississippi River.

James Eads, a young man who bounced around the Midwest while growing up, landing a job in the riverboat at 18. At 22 years old, he invented a primitive type of salvage boat that allowed him to dive deep into-the river to recover lost items. The business flourished and his experiences on the water put him on the forefront of history as the Civil War raged across the United States. Eads produced seven ships for the Navy in less than one hundred days. Immediately after the war, Eads was chosen to direct a construction project of extraordinary difficulty, the bridging of the Mississippi at St. Louis. From his
knowledge of the river and of the fabrication of iron and steel, he secured, against opposition, a contract for a steel triple-arch bridge over the river at St. Louis, known today as the Eads Bridge.

The riverboats were especially designed and constructed, with special purpose features, just as Erkers Eyewear is today. We are constantly creating fresh and innovative designs, and give thanks to the past generations who helped pave the way. Today, you can find riverboats almost comparable to a modern cruise ship. Just like our eyewear, they have developed over time, becoming a luxurious piece of art.