Hires To You headerThe Illustrated History of Hires Root Beer

1926 

IT HAPPENED IN…1926

A hurricane roared thru the Gulf states killing 372 people and destroying 5,000 homes.

Henry Ford reduced the work week from six days to five for Ford Motor Company’s workers. 

Newly introduced products included hair permanents, canned ham, and Chicken of the Sea tuna.

The Dr Pepper and Vess Dry Ginger Ale Companies began licensing franchisee bottlers.

7,593 U.S. soft drink bottling plants were in operation.

January 25, 1926 Hires’ received a report the new Houston bottling plant was nearing completion.

(Figure 1926-01, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 1926)

In 1926 Hires expanded into advertising on radio.  The following advertisement indicated: “RADIO - Every Thursday, at 7:15, Eastern Standard Time, let Hires Harvesters carry you to Lands of Romance where the ingredients for Hires are gathered.  Broadcasting from: WEAF – New York City; WCAE – Pittsburgh; WEEI – Boston; WFI – Philadelphia; WSAI – Cincinnati; WTAM – Cleveland; WWJ – Detroit; and WGR – Buffalo.”

(Figure 1926-02, Liberty, June 1926)

The flapper girl depicted in the June, 1926 Liberty advertisement appeared on this sign, along with a syrup jar and full glass of Hires Root Beer.  This sign marked Hires’ final advertising use of a syrup jar image on a sign.

(Figure 1926-03, paper sign, 8.0” x 20.0”)

The same flapper girl artwork was reused for this paper sign, but the syrup jar and full glass images were replaced by a Hires crown top bottle and an empty glass.

(Figure 1926-04, paper sign, 12.0” x 22.0”)

The same flapper girl adorns this sign with a new hair style, a book, and a straight-sided glass.  A 13.5" x 19.5" version of this sign was also produced.

(Figure 1926-05, embossed tin sign, 20.0” x 41.0”, courtesy of Mike Godown)

Here’s the same flapper girl again.  “IN BOTTLES” was replaced with a full bottle and an empty glass.   

(Figure 1926-06, embossed tin sign, 20.0” x 41.0”, courtesy of Mike Godown

And here’s the flapper girl again.  The pictured example has been self-framed and photographed at an angle to reduce glare from the camera flash.     

(Figure 1926-06.5, embossed tin sign, 12.0” x 34.5”)

(Figure 1926-07, embossed tin sign, 9.5” x 27.0”)

(Figure 1926-08, embossed tin sign, 9.5” x 27.5”)

The Charles E. Hires Company implemented an employee stock plan August 27, 1926.

The front and back sides of this rectangular, one gallon, Hires Fountain Syrup tin are identical, including the image of a fountain glass etched “Hires Healthful Delicious.” 

(Figure 1926-09, one gallon Hires Fountain Syrup tin)

One side panel of the illustrated Hires Fountain Syrup tin provides these directions and recipes:

FOR DISPENSING Hires SYRUP READY FOR USE

Use 1 oz. of finished Hires syrup to 6 oz. of carbonated water to make a finished drink of Hires.

DELICIOUS AND TEMPTING RECIPES

POPULAR AND PROFITABLE

Hires PLAIN

Draw one ounce of Hires finished syrup in a standard Hires 8 ounce glass.  Add shaved or finely chipped ice.  Fill the glass with coarse streams of soda water.  Hold glass close to soda faucet so that water will strike side of glass.  Then stir with three or four strokes of spoon and serve. 

Hires BLACK COW

Draw one ounce of Hires finished syrup in mixing cup.  Add some ice.  Add one spoonful of malted milk.  Add sufficient milk.  Mix thoroughly.  Pour in tall glass straining off ice.  Add dipper of vanilla ice cream and top off with whipped cream and cherry.

Hires SUNDAE

Put ice cream in dish.  Pour Hires finished syrup over ice cream and top with cherry.

Hires FRAPPE (Hires MILK SHAKE FROSTED)

Draw one ounce of Hires finished syrup in mixing cup.  Add dipper of vanilla ice cream and sufficient milk and mix thoroughly.

HOT MILK DRINKS WITH Hires

Hires makes hot drinks even more delicious and stimulating, but to preserve its fine flavor, add after milk is heated – then mix in usual way.

The remaining side panel includes licensing information, plus this “NOTICE TO THE DEALER:”

On request we will gladly supply you with attractive dealer display advertising for your fountain display of this advertising will link your store with our national advertising campaign.  We can supply you with window trims, cut-outs, mirror strips, fountain hangers, transfers and back-bar trims.  Write to the advertising department for just what you need.