1931 With a name borrowed from an automobile tire sold in the Sears catalog, and the backing of Sears, the Allstate Insurance Company began on April 17, 1931.

1931 By year-end, Allstate has 4,217 policies in force, for a premium volume of $118,323 and 20 employees. The company suffers a $76,000 loss for the year.

1933 At the Chicago World's Fair, Richard Roskam becomes Allstate's first agent when he sets a card table in the corner of the big Sears exhibit and is swamped with applications.

1934 All-state places agents in Sears stores.

1937 Allstate hires its first full-time salaried claim adjuster.

1939 Allstate startles the insurance industry to tailoring auto rates by age, mileage and use of car. The plan was so popular the industry followed suit.

1944 Allstate's post-war planning committee predicts Allstate will write $13 million in premium volume by 1949. 1949 written premium reaches $49 million.

1947 Allstate breaks tradition by creating an Illustrator Policy using simpler language and illustrations to make it easier for customers to understand policy language and coverage.

1950 "You're in Good Hands," one of the best known slogans in business history, is created by a sales manager to demonstrate our commitment to our customers.

1952 The Allstate Foundation is created to support and improve neighbors, schools, communities and other non-profit organizations.

1952 The first Drive-in Claim Office opens, revolutionizing the way auto claims are handled.

1953 Allstate begins work with high school drivers education teaching thousands of teachers and millions of young drivers.

1957 Network television advertising is launched by sponsoring "Playhouse 90." Actor Ed Reimers becomes Allstate's television spokesperson for 22 years.

1961 Allstate Motor Club the first truly national service of its kind, is formed.

1968 Allstate begins working with the government and automakers on auto passenger safety, including seat belts and airbags.

1970 Allstate begins awareness program encouraging auto makers to produce "tougher cars," including sturdier bumpers of a uniform height.

1976 The "Helping Hands Program" is organized and mobilizes over 75 percent of Allstate employees to volunteer their time and talents working on community causes.

1979 Property-liability written premium is $4.99 billion with 18.3 million policies in force and almost 40,000 employees.

1982 Allstate becomes a part of the Sears Financial Network: a "one-stop" financial services con-cept that features Allstate, Coldwell Banker Realty and Dean Wit-ter Financial Brokers under one roof at Sears stores.

1982 Allstate announces a National Urban Policy and becomes full partners with Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) in several cities.

1983 A new "flexible" type of life insurance policy is offered called "University Life," providing savings and investment opportunities.

1989 Property-liability written premium is $13.5 billion with 27.2 million policies in force and 55,789 employees.

1993 Allstate becomes the largest publicly held insurance company when Sears sells 19.8 percent ownership of Allstate. It was the larg-est initial public offering (IPO) in history for a U.S. company.

1995 Allstate becomes a totally independent company when Sears spins of the remaining 80 percent of Allstate to Sears shareholders.

1995 Allstate Life Insurance Group reaches $200 billion in life insurance in force.

1996 Allstate sells its Northbrook commercial operation and reinsurance business. This allows a renewed focus on core personal lines of auto, property and life in-surance.

1996 Allstate launches its corporate web site--www.allstate.com

1996 Allstate Life celebrates its 40-year anniversary by recording its best ever profit.

1997 Allstate Indemnity, the largest specialty writer in the country, reaches $3 billion in premium and records its 3,000,000th customer.

1999 Allstate purchases naming rights to the Rosemont Horizon. Following a $20 million refurbishing, the entertainment venue reopens as Allstate Arena.