The Drum Workshop (DW) was founded in 1972 as a teaching studio by Don Lombardi but he then began a small drum equipment sales business. The first product was a height-adjustable trap seat, which became so successful that drum hardware manufacturing soon eclipsed the teaching side Drum Workshop's business.
The next major DW product was the 5000 series nylon strap bass drum pedal, which led to DW's first full endorser, Tommy Lee of Motley Crue. Since then the company has grown beyond recognition.