1924
IT HAPPENED IN…1924
Ford Motor Company manufactured their tenth
millionth vehicle.
Model T prices dropped to $290 without a self-starter, their lowest
price ever.
Calvin Coolidge was reelected President of the
U.S., defeating John W. Davis of West Virginia, and U.S. Senator
Robert M. LaFollette Sr. of Wisconsin.
Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming was elected the
first woman U.S. governor.
J. Edgar Hoover was appointed head of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
A coal mine explosion killed 171 at Castle Gate,
Utah.
The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 granted
citizenship to all Natives born within the territorial limits of the
United States.
Home radio ownership exploded to over 2,500,000
sets, up from 5,000 receivers in 1920.
Americans’ enthusiasm for sports made college
football a leading interest.
Upbeat light operas were a popular form of
entertainment
The 500th J. C. Penney store opened in
Hamilton, Missouri, Mr. Penny’s hometown.
International Business Machines (IBM) was
founded.
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was held
in New York City.
Only 30% of Americans baked bread at home, down
from 70% in 1910.
The “Little Orphan
Annie” comic strip debuted in the
New York Daily News.
Newly introduced products and inventions included
chemical pesticides, diesel electric locomotives, ice cream cone
rolling machines, and Celluwipes disposable handkerchiefs (later
renamed Kleenex).
The 10% wartime federal taxes on soft drinks were
repealed.
The Chero Cola Company introduced Nehi soft
drinks and re-organized as the Nehi Corporation. The Dr Pepper
Company was organized in Dallas, Texas.
Newly introduced soft drink franchises included Nesbitt’s
Orange.
This trade card illustration was drawn by Frances Tipton Hunter, a popular artist whose work was featured on numerous magazine covers. Her style was similar to that of Norman Rockwell.
(Figure 1924-01, trade card,
front, 3.5” x 5.0”)
(Figure 1924-01, trade card,
back, 3.5” x 5.0”)
The Hires Magic Rubbing Book provided children an opportunity to rub a coin or other object across the page revealing hidden messages and images. This 4.0" x 6.0" booklet was illustrated by Frances Tipton Hunter and published by the Bingham Company in Philadelphia.
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, front cover)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, inside front cover)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 1)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 2)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 3)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 4)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 5)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 6)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 7)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, page 8)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, inside back cover)
(Figure 1924-02, Hires Magic Rubbing Book, back cover)
This reverse-on-glass hanger features gold letters on
a black background, surrounded by the original hanging chain.
(Figure 1924-03,
reverse-on-glass hanger, 3.0” x 6.0”)
These three advertisements ran in the
San Francisco Chronicle just
prior to the Fourth of July, 1924.
(Figure 1924-04,
San Francisco Chronicle)
(Figure 1924-05,
San Francisco Chronicle)
(Figure 1924-06,
San Francisco Chronicle)
(Figure 1924-06.3, Saturday Evening Post, July 12, 1924)
A reformatted version of the “You can make this wonderful drink at home” advertisement ran July 17, 1924 in the Times-Picayune newspaper in New Orleans, Louisiana. This milestone event marked Hires’ last use of the Hires Boy’s image for advertising purposes.
(Figure 1924-06.8, Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Louisiana, July 17, 1924)
The full-color image captured for this 3.5" x 5.5" linen postcard was taken in the midway area of the Cambria County Fair held at Ebensburg, Pennsylvania September 1, 1924. The Model T truck in the foreground has been modified to look like a giant Hires Root Beer barrel with “Drink Hires It Is Pure” painted on the side. Wooden cases containing bottles are stacked next to the truck, and employees were serving Hires Root Beer to fairgoers from under the large red umbrella behind the truck. Note the “Phrenologist” tent directly behind the Hires truck.
(Figure 1924-07, postcard, Cambria County Fair, Ebensburg, Pennsylvania)
The Charles E. Hires Company increased the Board of
Directors to nine members effective November 16, 1924.