John G. Alden opened his design officed in 1909. By 1932, he was known worldwide in part due to his "Malabar" design's success on the offshore racing scene between 1923 and 1932. John Alden is best known for his fast and seaworthy offshore boats but he designed a broad range of exceptional boats and most of his designs have become true classics.
Others who had their start with the firm include Fenwick Williams, Clifford Swain, Sam Crocker, Carl Alberg, Murray Peterson and K. Aage Nielsen.

Tillotson Corp, the parent corporation of John G. Alden Inc. of MA, specified that the John G. Alden collection of designs be donated to MIT's Hart Nautical Collection.