1888
IT HAPPENED IN…1888
Electric trolley cars went into service, igniting
a revolution in urban transportation.
The Blizzard of 1888 buried much of the U.S.
under two feet of snow, shutting down towns and cities for days.
Over 400 died in what at the time was considered the worst
American blizzard.
A yellow fever epidemic persisted with 4,500
cases reported, and over 400 deaths.
The National
Geographic Magazine
published its first quarterly issue.
The secret ballot was first used in U.S. local
elections held in Louisville, Kentucky.
President Grover Cleveland lost his bid for
re-election to Benjamin Harrison.
The Washington Monument opened to the public.
Electricity became more popular and most major
cities had electric street lighting.
George Eastman trademarked the term “Kodak” and
patented his camera which used roll film.
Hand-held Kodak camera owners sent their cameras to
Rochester, New York to have the pictures developed and cameras
reloaded with film.
The Amateur Athletic Union of the U.S. was
formed, seizing control over amateur athletics from unscrupulous
promoters.
Printer’s Ink,
the oldest, most prestigious and largest magazine targeting
advertisers, agencies, and copywriters, was founded.
Asa G. Candler acquired a majority ownership
interest in Coca-Cola.
The Artesian Manufacturing Company began bottling
Dr Pepper in Waco, Texas.
John J. McLaughlin began bottling carbonated
beverages in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
During the summer of 1888 Hires placed slightly
different versions of the same advertisement in several magazines.
The sketch of a young girl matches the image used for the Gast
Lithograph and Engraving Company trade card produced in 1886.
Hires continued to focus on marketing to families, further
evidenced by the included offer of “A beautiful picture story book for
children, entitled ‘Happy Hours in Fairy Land,’ will be mailed
Free to any one sending their
address.”
(Figure 1888-01, Century and The Ladies’ Home Journal, June, 1888)
(Figure 1888-01.5, The Philadelphia Times newspaper, June 23, 1888, page 3)
(Figure
1888-02, Grocery
World, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1888)
Note the claim “This preparation has steadily grown
in public favor during the past ten years, until to-day it is used in
every part of the United States and Canada, and a portion of the Old
World.” This specific
reference to “ten years” is the earliest of Hires’ published statements
specifically stating he began selling his root beer in 1878.
(Figure
1888-02.5, simpler format used in August, 1888)
Hires began distributing this trade card featuring
yet another young girl in 1888:
(Figure 1888-03, trade card,
front, 4.5” x 3.25”)
(Figure 1888-03, trade card,
back, 4.5” x 3.25”)
Here’s a typical 1888
bottle that contained Hires’ Improved Root Beer liquid:
(Figure 1888-04, Hires
Improved Root Beer bottle)
Charles E. Hires Company sales for 1888 were listed
as 394,560 bottles.