I checked previous posts and found a little info posted by Steve Stephens on Feb 5, 2003 and again on Aug 9, 2004 in the General Information section stating that Wagner produced the National line to compete with Griswold (Victor), Wapak (Oneta) and Favorite (Miami). The lower cost skillets were produced as a budget or economy line. All the above mentioned were smaller than the top of the line models, which helped reduce shipping costs. The quality of the National line was purported to be on a par with Wagner's best product.