Founded in 1884 the company has delivered knives to the Swiss army since 1891. The cross in a shield emblem has been used by Victorinox since 1909. That year, the mother of founder Karl Elsener died and he named the company "Victoria" in her honour. In 1921, with the introduction of "inox" (from the  French acier inoxydable (stainless steel)) into their products, the brand and name of the company became the present "Victorinox" ("Victoria"+"Inox").