A. E. Hull Pottery was founded in Zanesville, Ohio in 1905, producing a very fine grade of semi-porcelain dinnerware. Two years later, a new plant was built in Crooksville, Ohio. In the 1930s, Hull successfully capitalized on the growing interest in art pottery, introducing several lines of matte finish, pastel, and floral items in the shape of vases, planters, ewers, and bowls, most in varying sizes. By the 1940s, the company had been clearly established as a giant in the field of ceramics.

But production suddenly ended on June 16, 1950, when a four-hour downpour sent creeks out of their banks, causing water to run seven feet deep through the village of Crooksville. The red hot pottery kilns exploded when covered by water and set the plant afire. While the water filled the tunnel kiln firing at 2,000 degrees, the steam pressure forced expansion joints apart causing the roof to ignite.

The company rebuilt and equipped their new factory with the most modern machinery. However, it was soon apparent that the previous castings could not be duplicated through the more modern processes, and attention was concentrated on a new high-gloss artware line. By the mid-1970s, dinnerware and florist ware were the mainstay of their business. The firm ceased production in 1985.