The George F. Cram Co., Inc. story dates back to 1867, when George Cram, only two years after completing the United States Civil War Service in the Northern Union Army, joined his uncle's business of making city and state maps.

In 1869, Cram became the first American publisher to produce a world atlas. The Cram name quickly became synonymous with accuracy and innovation. In 1932, the company expanded into manufacturing world globes.