The history of the distinctive and popular dinnerware known as Apple began with the discovery of clay deposits in Placer County, California by Charles Gladding and Peter McBean in 1875. They promptly established the Gladding McBean Company in nearby Lincoln and began the production of sewer pipe. By 1884 they were also producing the trademark California terra cotta and tile building materials. But it was the acquisition of tile manufactures Tropico Potteries in Glendale in 1923 which was to pave the road to the production of dinnerware.

Gladding McBean obtained from T.C. Prouty the formula for a talc based process for the production of earthenware ceramics. Andrew Malinovsky was brought in to refine the process and by 1928 "Melinite" was patented. By 1932 Gladding McBean was ready to join in the production of tablewares decorated with colored glazes to satisfy the growing demand in California.

Production of Franciscan Pottery began in the Glendale plant in 1934 with Weller Pottery alumni Fredrick J. Grant and his wife Mary responsible for operations and design. By 1935 there were fifteen patterns including the original solid color El Patio and Coronado. The name Franciscan Pottery was changed in 1936 to Franciscan Ware to capture a more upscale audience. In 1939 the hand painted underglaze patterns were developed which would lead to the introduction of Apple in 1940.