Hires To You headerThe Illustrated History of Hires Root Beer

1984

IT HAPPENED IN…1984

The U.S. economy grew 6.8%, with 1.7 million new housing starts, and over 14 million auto sales, putting Detroit back on its feet.  Even so, 79 banks failed, the most since 1938.

Most U.S. population growth was in the South and West.  Over 450,000 people were imprisoned, nearly double the total from 10 years earlier.

Ronald Reagan was reelected President in the greatest Republican landslide in history.

Newly introduced products included Apple Macintosh computers and 3.5” computer disks.

1,518 U.S. soft drink bottling plants were in operation.

In February, 1984, Procter & Gamble replaced saccharin with Nutrasweet as a sweetener for Hires Root Beer.

Pacific Star Products, Inc., produced this 3.25" diameter, barrel top-shaped, combination coaster and twist-top bottle opener for Crush International Inc. in Canada.  The .765" thick metal base is embossed “Rd. 1984” and “MADE IN CANADA PAT. PEND.”  Two base magnets allowed users to conveniently store the device on a metal surface such as a refrigerator.  Marking yet another Hires logo change, the word across the top was changed to “ORIGINAL.”

(Figure 1984-01, coaster and bottle opener, top and bottom)

Crush International, Inc. distributed this clear glass mug to the Canadian marketplace.  Note the French “MARQUE DEPOSEE” below the logo. 

(Figure 1984-02, clear glass mug, front, 5.125” tall)

(Figure 1984-02, clear glass mug, back, 5.125” tall)

This similarly styled clear glass mug bears a slightly different logo and "Hires TRUE ROOT BEER taste" on the back.  No trade mark abbreviations are listed.

(Figure 1984-02.2, clear glass mug, front, 5.125” tall)

(Figure 1984-02.2, clear glass mug, back, 5.125” tall)

Here's another clear glass mug that was produced for Becker's, a franchised chain of independent convenience stores that operated in Ontario, Canada from 1957 until 1996.  

(Figure 1984-02.3, clear glass mug, front, 5.125” tall)

(Figure 1984-02.3, clear glass mug, back, 5.125” tall)

This wood-framed wall clock with a battery-operated quartz movement was another promotional item distributed to the Canadian marketplace by Crush International, Inc.  The image is somewhat distorted by the glass reflecting the photographer's image.

(Figure 1984-02.5, wood-framed wall clock, 10.0" x 14.0")

This Solar AM/Sport Radio cap included a rechargeable battery and single earphone.  This was yet another promotional item produced for the Canadian marketplace by Crush International, Inc.  The French “MARQUE DEPOSEE” label is positioned directly below the Hires logo. 

(Figure 1984-03, Solar AM/Sport Radio cap)

This cardboard six-pack carton was manufactured in Canada by Somerville Belkin Industries Limited.  Both end panels have the same markings.

(Figure 1984-04, Canadian cardboard six-pack carton, side panel, English)

(Figure 1984-04, Canadian cardboard six-pack carton, side panel, French )

(Figure 1984-04, Canadian cardboard six-pack carton, end panel)

These seven paper labels were produced for Crush International Inc. in Canada.

(Figure 1984-05, Original paper neck label - Canada)

(Figure 1984-05, Original paper body label - Canada)

(Figure 1984-05, Caffeine-Free and Sugar-Free paper neck label, small - Canada)

(Figure 1984-05, Caffeine-Free and Sugar-Free paper neck label, large - Canada)

(Figure 1984-05, Caffeine-Free Original paper body label - Canada)

(Figure 1984-05, Sugar-Free paper body label - Canada)

(Figure 1984-05, Syrup paper label - Canada)

(Figure 1984-06, hard plastic 3-D sign, 15.75” high, 12.5” wide, 1.5” deep)

This red, white, and black cloth patch bears only a U.S. trade mark (TM) abbreviation.

(Figure 1984-07, cloth patch 3.0” x 3.0”)

This red, white, and brown cloth patch bears both U.S. and Canadian (Marque Deposee) trade mark abbreviations

(Figure 1984-08, cloth patch 3.0” x 3.0”)

(Figure 1984-09, fiberboard, battery-powered, wall clock, 15.0" diameter)

The printing on this baseball mentions “ORIGINAL,” while the logo pictures a Hires mug and reads “SINCE 1876” across the top arch.

(Figure 1984-10, baseball)

Pinback buttons were produced for a Canadian Halloween promotion at Burger King featuring Original Hires Root Beer and Crush flavors.

(Figure 1984-11, pinback button, 3.5” diameter)

Here's another pinback button produced for a Canadian marketing campaign.

(Figure 1984-12, pinback button, 3.0” x 1.5")

Continuing to expand, in 1984 Procter & Gamble paid around $10 million to acquire Crush International Inc.'s Canadian operations.