Steve Carman began designing climbing products in 1981. After years of working for others, Steve had enough. In 1994 he founded Smiley's Climbing Equipment. In 2000 Smiley's Climbing Equipment became part of Omega Pacific Mountaineering.
The following note by Marty Karabin on the Supertopo Forum provides additional information:
"The story I heard was that Wild Country was suing Smiley's stating that their nuts were the same. Wild Country nuts are set #1-9. It was an absurd lawsuit since Smiley's nuts were a direct copy of Black Diamonds #1-13 Stoppers but were anodized. Smileys kept winning the lawsuit but Wild Country kept appealing. DMM eventually purchased Wild Country and dropped the lawsuit absurdness, but Steve ran out of money and some of the Smiley's gear then got absorbed by Omega Pacific. Shortly after, Black Diamond anodized their Stoppers."
Wedgies
↑ 340: Smileys Wedgie; #1
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 3.5x10 mm.
- Weight: 9 g.
- Flat faces. Originally had a web sling attached.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smiley face logo and "1" on one face.
↑ Set 341-350: Smileys Wedgies; #4–#13
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
↑ 341: Smileys Wedgie; #4
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 7x11 mm.
- Weight: 15 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "4" on convex face.
↑ 342: Smileys Wedgie; #5
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 8x13 mm.
- Weight: 16 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "5" on convex face.
↑ 343: Smileys Wedgie; #6
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 9x14 mm.
- Weight: 33 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "6" on convex face.
↑ 344: Smileys Wedgie; #7
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 11x16 mm.
- Weight: 35 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "7" on convex face.
↑ 345: Smileys Wedgie; #8
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 13x17 mm.
- Weight: 38 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "8" on convex face.
↑ 346: Smileys Wedgie; #9
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 15x20 mm.
- Weight: 40 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "9" on convex face.
↑ 347: Smileys Wedgie; #10
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 17x23 mm.
- Weight: 42 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "10" on convex face.
↑ 348: Smileys Wedgie; #11
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 19x25 mm.
- Weight: 48 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "11" on convex face.
↑ 349: Smileys Wedgie; #12
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 22x29 mm.
- Weight: 54 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "12" on convex face.
↑ 350: Smileys Wedgie; #13
- Made in USA [ca 1995–2000].
- Size: 26x3 mm.
- Weight: 72 g.
- Curved faces.
- Anodized aluminum alloy.
- Printed with Smiley's smile logo and "13" on convex face.