Hires To You headerThe Illustrated History of Hires Root Beer

1962 

IT HAPPENED IN…1962

The U.S. national debt exceeded $300 trillion for the first time.

The AFL-CIO initiated a nationwide movement for a 35 hour work week.

President Kennedy revealed the U.S.S.R. was building missile and bomber bases in Cuba and announced a blockade of Cuba effective October 24th.

Lt. Colonel John Glenn orbited the Earth aboard Mercury capsule Friendship 7.

The twist dance craze started at The Peppermint Lounge, a New York City dance club.

The Century 21 Exposition, a world’s fair at Seattle, Washington, opened.

90% of U.S. households had at least one television set.

K-Mart and Wal-Mart opened their first stores.

A nude model shown in a Harper’s Bazaar advertisement created a national controversy.

Philip Morris introduced the “Marlboro Country” advertising campaign.

4,208 U.S. soft drink bottling plants were in operation.

(Figure 1962-01, die-cut, cardboard sign)

The Philadelphia Inquirer carried this obituary June 8, 1962:

HARRISON S. HIRES DIES AT 75, WAS EXECUTIVE

 

Harrison S. Hires, 75, former director and vice president of the Charles E. Hires Co., died Wednesday at his home on Andover road, Haverford.  Mr. Hires, a native Philadelphian, was the son of the late Charles E. Hires, founder of the Hires Co.

Mr. Hires attended Haverford School and was graduated from Haverford College in 1910.  He had been active in many educational and cultural organizations.  Among his former activities were the presidency of the Philadelphia Drug Exchange, vice presidency of the Art Alliance, a trusteeship with the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, and the vice presidency of the Haverford College Alumni Association.

He was a member of the Franklin Inn Club, the American Humanist Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Franklin Institute, and formerly a member of the Haverford Club and the Penn Club.

Mr. Hires wrote Invitation and Other Poems, and For My Children, a book of essays, and numerous items for Poetry Magazine.

Surviving are his wife, the former Christine Leland; two sons, Richard W. and William L.; a daughter, Mrs. Richard H. Morgan; five grandchildren; a brother, Charles E., Jr., and two sisters, Linda and Clara.  Services and burial will be private.

(Figure 1962-02, metal sign, 4.0’ tall)

Quarter and half page advertisements featuring these images were placed in Look, Saturday Evening Post, and TV Guide. 

(Figure 1962-03, The American Soft Drink Journal, June 25, 1962)

(Figure 1962-03.5, TV Guide)

(Figure 1962-04, Canadian cardboard sign, 12.0" x 18.0")

Consolidated Foods Corporation sold their Charles E. Hires Division to Crush International, Limited in 1962.  Hires’ headquarters were moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Crush International’s home office in Evanston, Illinois.  Note this advertisement lists “The Hires Company – 2201 West Main Street – Evanston, Ill.” due to the sale to Crush International.

(Figure 1962-05, The American Soft Drink Journal, July 23, 1962)

By the time this simple advertisement ran Hires had become the “Hires Division” of Beverages International Inc. 

(Figure 1962-06, The American Soft Drink Journal, November 5, 1962)

(Figure 1962-07, Fountain syrup paper tag, 3.0" x 6.0")

This Masonite sign did double duty, advertising both Hires Root Beer and Orange Crush. 

(Figure 1962-08, Hires Root Beer and Orange Crush sign, 26.0" x 18.5")