John Frank was a professor at the University of Oklahoma
 where he taught ceramics. In 1933, John and his wife
Grace Lee opened a studio that used a local Ada light-beige
colored clay. In 1936, the Franks began using the name
Frankoma Pottery, an amalgamation of Frank’s
surname with the last three-letters of Oklahoma.
In 1938, the Franks moved production to Sapulpa,
Oklahoma, using a local Sapulpa clay
that had a darker, red-brown color.

Frankoma produced a diverse range of products from
extensive dinnerware, artware, and a number of souvenirs,
commemorative, political and religious themed products.
Signature lines were developed that aided the company’s success.