Hires To You headerThe Illustrated History of Hires Root Beer

1963 

IT HAPPENED IN…1963

U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War escalated.

200,000 Washington, D.C. freedom march participants heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior’s “I have a dream” speech describing a U.S. free of divisiveness, hatred, and injustice.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas and Vice-President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th U.S. President. 

Traffic deaths for the year reached an all-time high of 40,804.

The Beatles released I Want to Hold Your Hand.

Newly introduced products included touch-tone telephones, Easy-Bake working toy ovens, lava lamps, and valium tranquilizer.

4,055 U.S. soft drink bottling plants were in operation.

(Figure 1963-01, cardboard six-pack carton, manufactured in February, 1963)

This cardboard "Multi-Pak" carton was manufactured by International Paper in March, 1963.

(Figure 1963-02, cardboard “Multi-Pak” carton)

(Figure 1963-03, cardboard inserts/hangers for six-packs and a quart)

In 1963 Hires made another attempt at offering a record album as a premium.  Noted American jazz singer and pianist Blossom Dearie recorded a popular Hires radio commercial during 1962, and in 1963 she partnered with Hires to produce a studio album entitled Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin’ Songs.  Hires offered the album to customers who submitted bottle caps and 50¢ for shipping.  The song listings on both sides of the record are labeled “HIRES HITS.”  Otherwise, the album includes no Hires advertising except for the cover photos that picture a Hires bottle on top of the piano and a Hires bottle in Blossom’s hand. 

 

(Figure 1963-04, “Blossom Dearie Sings Rootin’ Songs” album cover)

The American Can Company in Easton, Pennsylvania produced this waxed paper cup.  It measures 2.75" tall and held four ounces. 

(Figure 1963-04.5, waxed paper cup)

This 5.5" diameter tin tray bears no manufacturing information nor a Hires identification number, suggesting it is possibly a fantasy item.  That said, at this point we believe it is a change tray produced for cash register usage by store owners selling Hires Root Beer.  A circa 1963 date has been assigned based on the trapezoid Hires logo and the happy face image.  Hires phased out use of the trapezoid logo after 1963, and that was also the year the happy face became famous world-wide.  

(Figure 1963-05, circa 1963 tin change tray)

The St. Thomas Metal Sign Company in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada manufactured this 27.25" x 19.25" tin sign for Hires.  This Hires logo was used only in Canada.

(Figure 1963-06, Canadian tin sign)

This 27.0" x 19.0" tin chalkboard sign was also manufactured for Hires by the St. Thomas Metal Sign Company.  The front bottom edge is "S. T. M. S. 63."

(Figure 1963-06.5, Canadian tin chalkboard sign)

This crown cap was used by a Hires bottler in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

(Figure 1963-07, Canadian crown cap)

This 26 ounce, red on white ACL was designed for use in Canada but apparently never made it past the prototype stage.

(Figure 1963-07.5, prototype Canadian 26 ounce ACL)

This combination bottle and can opener measures 4.0" long when unfolded and also doubles as a key ring.

(Figure 1963-08, combination bottle and can opener)