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In 1980, Fred Carl had a wild notion:
"What about a commercial-style range for the home?"
He knew from designing and building houses in Greenwood, Mississippi that
he and his wife weren't the only ones looking for more powerful options in the kitchen.
So, he searched and he sketched.
He called commercial range manufacturers.
He met the manufacturers and came to the unbelievable conclusion that no one
made such a range or even wanted to.
They were horrified at the idea of their products even going to the home on any basis.
So he decided, he'd just have to build it himself
in Greenwood.
Okay, well, here's a range. Now, what do we do?
His hometown stood behind him
and at the front of the production line.
Together, they got to work on the world's first professional range for the home.
Well, I just prayed. I absolutely prayed over that stove.
I said "Lord, forgive me for praying for a stove."
I said, "If that boy doesn't make it on this thing, he's going to have to leave the country
move to Australia or way, way somewhere."
By 1987, they shipped the first Viking Range
and culinary revolution was born.
Cooks around the world embrace the Viking Kitchen.
Finally, they have the equipment to cook like their favorite chefs
and the Viking Kitchen quickly grew to include cooktops, ovens, refrigerators,
dishwashers, outdoor cooking, small appliances, and more.
Instead of relocating for cheaper production,
Fred refused to cut corners and proudly kept major appliance operations
in Greenwood, restoring most of the historic downtown in the process.
Viking Range is more than a company. It's a shared passion
in Greenwood and kitchens around the world.
A passion for quality, or hospitality,
and authenticity.
He was the most persistent young man I ever saw in my life.