Butter Kist machines

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Holcomb & Hoke
Popcorn, Peanut Roaster
and Other Machines
Original Prototype
Holcomb & Hoke
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Circa 1912
This is the original automatic popcorn machine prototype
created by engineer Dan Talbert and presented to
Holcomb & Hoke Manufacturing Company in 1912. The
heavy cast aluminum top and all-glass upper case made
the unit unsuitable for shipping, prompting J. I. Holcomb
to suggest to Talbert that he rework his design. When
Talbert declined, Holcomb & Hoke took on the project
that would ultimately lead to the development of the
model 1E and inception of the 21-year production run of
Butter-Kist popcorn machines and peanut roasters.
Talbert received royalties for his invention only until 1915,
at which time Holcomb & Hoke believed they had
perfected a popcorn machine that was now so far
removed from the original prototype that they could
patent it as their own. The company offered Talbert
a dollar-an-hour job in their research and development
department, but the enterprising man turned it down,
opting instead to try his luck in California.
Interestingly, the J. H. Fentress Antique Popcorn
Museum archives have a letter that Dan Talbert wrote to
Holcomb & Hoke, in which he expresses interest in
returning to Indianapolis and accepting their job offer. It's uncertain whether or not Talbert did
indeed come back, as no further information on him has been found.
The Standard
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 3E
Circa 1919
The "Cadillac" of Holcomb &
Hoke machines, this all-electric
model features the optional
four-sided rotating sign, sidemount peanut roaster, and
ultra rare non-coin operated
vendor. The cabinet is crafted
from richly grained quartersawed oak with natural finish,
also an option on this model. A
bulb in the base keeps the nuts
warm.
W. F. Hill from Toronto,
Canada, was the original
owner of this machine.
The Auto-Grand
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 2EF
Circa 1930
Original Cost: $1180.00
The machine shown here measures 32"w
x 26"d x 79"h (excluding shelf) and is
automatic in every detail, including
separation of the shot from the popped corn
and buttering. While this model is all-electric,
others use natural or artificial gas to heat the
popping plate. The 12" x 26" shelf could be
used to support a shelled peanut vendor
(five-pound capacity). A side-mount peanut
toaster with warming element, capable of
toasting up to five pounds of peanuts an
hour, was optional.
Raw corn is dispensed from the glass hopper
(10-pound capacity) into the popping plate.
The plate is equipped to operate on three
temperatures, as governed by a variable
switch that enables the operator to adjust the
popping capacity from 90 down to 30
cartons an hour. Once popped, the corn is deposited into the heated glass-sided display/storage
area beneath the popper.
The Auto-Grand features a sturdy cabinet made of kiln-dried birch and mahogany; however,
it was also available in quarter-sawed white oak, finished in shades somewhat darker than the
natural color of the wood. All metal trimmings are heavily nickel plated to withstand wear and
time. The machine is mounted on rolling rubber-tired casters for quick, easy indoor/outdoor
movement Also featured is a blinking "Eat Butter-Kist Popcorn" opalescent glass globe and
rare cabinet sign that flashes between "Eat Butter-Kist Popcorn" and "Fresh and Hot. Take Some
Home."
This is the first machine Jim Fentress purchased.
The Auto-Grand
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 3F
Circa 1927
Original Cost: $1250.00
This gas-fired popper with attached peanut roaster still relies on electricity for mechanical
operation and lighting. The optional "Fountain of Corn" in the lower cabinet utilizes a blower to
keep the corn in constant motion.
The Standard
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 3E
Circa 1915
Shown here with the optional peanut
roaster and four-sided revolving sign,
this machine is all-electric. At least six
different sign panels were available.
Examples of these panels can be seen
under "Misc. H&H Items."
The Triumph
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 22E
Circa 1921
Original Cost: $787.50
Featuring the same functions as the Auto-Grand but
measuring only 28"w x 24"d x 76"h, the Triumph was
designed for the shopkeeper with limited space. This allelectric model weighs 300 pounds and is made of rich
mahogany. From the glass hopper (maximum capacity of
seven pounds), raw corn is dispensed into the hot plate at a
rate of up to 40 ten-cent cartons of popped corn an hour. An
optional peanut roaster, capable of roasting 4-1/2 pounds of
peanuts in 1-1/2 hours, is built into the bottom of the unit. The
Triumph was also available with a gas popper (model no. 22
with the peanut roaster, model no. 21 without). The all-electric
unit without the peanut roaster is model no. 21E.
The Profit-Maker
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 1101
Circa 1922
The all-electric, mahogany-finished unit shown here features
the peanut toaster in lower cabinet. Model no. 1102 is the same
as model no. 1101, except gas is used for heating the corn
popping plate (the peanut toasting is electric). Model no. 1103 is
all-electric, but without the toaster. Model no. 1104 is gas driven,
while model no. 1105 is equipped with a generator to produce gas
from gasoline. Measuring only 28"w x 24"d x 78"h, the ProfitMaker embodied Holcomb & Hoke's vision in the early 1920's:
create a smaller machine with the big features that made the
Auto-Grand such a big success.
A variable switch controls two types of heat in the popping plate,
thereby enabling the machine operator to keep the unit going (as
a means of enticing patrons into the store and to buy popcorn/
peanuts) without having to pop corn at full capacity. The glass
hopper on top holds up to seven pounds of raw corn. With a
capacity to fill between 14 and 40 cartons an hour, storeowners
could expect to earn between $1.80 and $4 an hour from popcorn
sales alone. Up to 4-1/2 pounds of peanuts can be toasted every
1-1/2 hours.
The Gold Mine
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 201
Circa 1923
Orignal Cost: $597.50
The Gold Mine model enabled shopkeepers to obtain a
Holcomb & Hoke popcorn machine for roughly half the cost of
a large unit. Measuring 26"w x 22"d x 74"h, it was ideally
suited for those with limited floor space.
Shown here is the all-electric model, featuring a rich
mahogany finish, highly polished nickel-plated parts, and
attention-getting blinking globe. Model no. 202 is the same
as no. 201, except that gas is used for heating the cornpopping plate. Similarly, model no. 203 differs only in that it
operates off of a generator that produces gas from gasoline.
The Gold Mine feeds, discharges, pops and butters the corn
automatically. The glass hopper on top holds up to four
pounds of raw corn. With a popping capacity of 30 ten-cent
cartons an hour, the unit boasted an hourly earning capacity
of $3.00, of which $1.95 was profit. Under the popcorn cabinet
is a heated glass-faced compartment for displaying up to 15
pounds of roasted peanuts. Another selling point: the
machine's light weight and large casters, which afforded easy
movement from one part of a store/theater to another.
The Money-Maker
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Style No. 1E
Circa 1920
Measuring just 22 x 30 inches, the smallest of the
Holcomb & Hoke machines was designed to sit on a
countertop or on the optional mahogany-finished base,
as shown here. All metal parts are nickel plated. This
model features two small glass-front compartments
that were typically used for displaying shelled and
unshelled salted peanuts. On top of these compartments
are tiles made of white Vitrolite, an opaque pigmented
glass manufactured from about 1920 to 1950.
Small, covered glass jars filled with candy, chewing gum
and mints sat on top. An optional peanut warmer is
located below the popcorn compartment. With a popping
capacity of 20 ten-cent cartons an hour, machine
owners made a profit of 65 cents on every dollar taken in.
This unit does not butter the corn or separate the
unpopped kernels. A smaller globe (as seen here) was
also optional.
At a third the cost of large models, the compact
countertop machines were available in all-electric only,
using 600 watts at full capacity. The two glass
compartments could hold up to four pounds of unshelled
roasted peanuts; up to 10 pounds of shelled salted peanuts. The glass jars had a capacity of
about two-and-a-half pounds of candy, chewing gum and/or mints.
This machine came from Dumm's General Store in Laurelville, Ohio. It was used from 1924 to
1940, then stored upstairs until its purchase by Jim Fentress in the early 1990s.
The Money-Maker
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Style No. 1E
Circa 1920
Another example of the countertop machines, this model does not feature the optional peanut
warmer built into the base.
The Banker
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
(No Model No.)
Circa 1929
The Banker debuted mere months
before the Crash of '29 and,
ironically, the onslaught of bank
failures that soon followed. Boasting
an advanced design and exclusive
features, the steel, glass and nickel
machine promised shopkeepers
greater safety, durability and
profits—as much as 65 cents out of
every dollar!
Compared to earlier Holcomb &
Hoke models, the Banker had fewer
parts and was said to operate more
quietly. Sturdy rubber-tired wheels
with ball bearings allowed for easier
movement, both inside and outside
the store. A rainbow lighting effect
was implemented to emphasize "a
distinctly modern creation in keeping
with the age of color."
Unlike other machines, which automatically butter the corn as it pops, the Banker drops
unbuttered corn into the bowl below the popping plate. Here, the corn remains hot, crisp and
fresh, as it is not buttered until dispensed to the customer. In their marketing literature, Holcomb
& Hoke reasoned that "stale, soggy popcorn has always meant either wasted money or
dissatisfied customers." By eliminating "this profit-stealing evil," they said, shopkeepers would
reap greater profits than ever before.
The Money-Maker
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Style No. 1E
Circa 1920
This countertop unit is identical to the one above,
but without the optional blinking globe on top or
mahogany-finished base.
The Prosperity
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
(No Model No.)
Circa 1931
This a very rare Holcomb & Hoke machine, in
that it is a late entry into Art Deco design. The
all-electric unit features a wood-framed cabinet
with metal inserts and a distinctive backlit
marquee. A smaller version of the "Fountain of
Corn" was incorporated to show motion and, in
doing so, attract the attention of passersby.
During operation, the popped corn falls automatically into the glass-enclosed heat display
compartment. The heating element underneath this compartment can also be used to keep
peanuts warm. The base is perforated so that unpopped kernels fall into a container in the
cabinet below. Among the machine's other key selling points: double the capacity of many other
popcorn machines, an improved method of popping the corn directly in the seasoning, and the
ability to convert easily from a wet to a dry popper.
The DeLuxe
Butter-Kist
Toaster
(No Model No.)
Circa 1926
This machine was Holcomb & Hoke's biggest
venture into the popularity of nuts. It houses six
compartments on the front side for various shelled
nuts. The backside (shown here) features five
metal-lined drawers in the mahogany base for nuts
in the shell. A sixth "drawer" is, in actuality, a false
front that is used to conceal the electric motor.
The machine features a large, lighted peanut
roaster and, just beside it, a separate glass case
for displaying candy, chewing gum and mints.
Brass fixtures and colorful glass plates that light
from behind—both in the lower cabinet and on the
four-sided sign that hangs from a rod in front—add
to the attractiveness and charm of this unit.
The Standard
Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 2
Circa 1913
This machine features a gas-heated popper. It was the
least expensive of the Standard models and offered no
options.
The Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 3E
Circa 1924
This machine was probably one
of the last "cage poppers"
produced before Holcomb &
Hoke switched to making
chrystalite dome poppers. The
nickel-plated cage measures 31/8" high, compared to the more
commonly found 2-1/8". We can
only speculate that the
dimension change was an effort
to increase popping capacity,
something later dome units
accomplished with fewer moving
parts.
A different style nameplate and
the addition of an Underwriter's
Laboratories plate further
contribute to the uniqueness of
this popcorn machine with
peanut roaster.
The Butter-Kist
Popcorn Machine
Model No. 3EF
Circa 1919
Featuring an all-electric popper
and side-mount peanut roaster,
this machine was the first to
include the attention-drawing
"Fountain of Corn" in the lower
cabinet.
The machine was acquired from
Linenger Bros., a former five-anddime store in downtown Celina,
Ohio.
The Universal
Butter-Kist
Peanut Toaster
Model No. 5
Circa 1930
Original Cost: $287.50
This all-electric countertop model with peanut toaster and separate vendor, each with a fivepound capacity, measures 28 x 18 inches and is considered a rare piece. The mahogany-finished
wood base features a backlit sign and pullout drawer on the reverse side. Shelled peanuts – kept
warm and tumbling behind the nickel-trimmed, glass-front compartment – were usually sold in a
small paper bag for five cents. Their sale, according to Holcomb & Hoke, would earn storeowners
a profit of 65 cents out of every dollar's worth sold.
The blinking "Eat Butter-Kist Peanuts" globe was designed to draw attention to the sale of shelled
salted peanuts, typically for one cent. The "Butter-Kist Salted Peanut Vendor" is made of cast
aluminum and equipped with an electric heating element to keep the shelled nuts warm. Boasting
"special sanitary construction," it also features a vending mechanism that can be adjusted to
dispense from 30 to 60 servings per pound. The vendor could be purchased separately
for $39.50 and, according to the machine's makers, would bring a profit of 150 percent. A
bracket for mounting the unit on the wall sold for an additional $1.50.
This machine came from Dumm's General Store in Laurelville, Ohio. It was used from 1930
to 1940, then put away upstairs until its purchase by Jim Fentress in the early 1990s.
The Universal
Butter-Kist
Peanut Toaster
Model No. 3
Circa 1928
While similar to model no. 3 below, this
peanut toaster has a divided shelled-nut
container with pulldown doors which
operate from the front of the unit. This
enabled operators to scoop nuts more
easily into a bag.
The Universal
Butter-Kist
Peanut Toaster
Model No. 3
Circa 1927
Original Cost: $198.50
This nickel-trimmed peanut toaster is similar to the model no. 5 unit below, but without the backlit
signage and rear drawer. The 28 x 18-inch base is finished in two-tone mountain ash scarlet
duco; the sides and back of the machine are in duco blue. The glass jar beside the peanut toaster
was used in selling shelled salted peanuts.
The Universal
Butter-Kist
Peanut Toaster
Model No. 5
Circa 1930
This countertop toaster measures 29
inches in length, 18 inches in depth and 24
inches high. While similar to model no. 5
above, it is equipped with a glass container
in place of the peanut vendor. The
container is divided into two compartments
for selling shelled salted peanuts.
The Universal
Butter-Kist
Peanut Toaster
Model No. 3
Circa 1929
This striking all-electric model no. 3 Universal Butter-Kist Peanut Toaster varies little more than
cosmetically from its predecessor above. Made of steel and mounted on a wood base, it features
a brilliant mountain ash red finish, nickel trim and flashing electric sign in stylish Art Deco
motif. Roasting capacity is approximately five pounds of peanuts in 60 to 90 minutes. The
decorative octagonal-shaped glass jar mounted beside the roaster was used in displaying and
selling shelled salted peanuts.
Measuring a mere 18 inches by 28 inches, the compact roaster was targeted to businesses with
limited counter space. Ease of use and portability allowed for simple connection to any light
socket, quick movement around the store or between the inside and outside of the store, and
operation by one individual.
The Model X
Butter-Kist
Peanut Toaster
Circa 1928
You won't find the Model X peanut roaster
featured in a Holcomb & Hoke catalog or in
any other sales literature, for that matter.
There is evidence, however, that supports the
existence of this little known and hard-to-find
machine.
Generally speaking, Model X refers to a unit
that had been returned to the company—
either in trade or as recourse for
nonpayment—and refurbished for resale.
Many Holcomb & Hoke popcorn machines and peanut roasters (and, most likely, other such
larger-scale products) were sold on installment. This allowed the purchaser to use profits in
making payments over time. Often there was nothing overly wrong with these repossessed units
other than cosmetic imperfections. But thorough restoration, including renickel plating, for
example, could be costly. The easiest and least expensive renovation process involved going
over a machine to assure it worked properly, then simply repainting it.
The story behind the Model X peanut roaster was stumbled upon quite by accident. Bill
Butterfield, one of the country’s foremost collectors of jukeboxes and related ephemera, had
come to the Museum in 2009 to research material on Holcomb & Hoke’s Electramuse jukeboxes.
While pouring over the company's accounting ledgers, he came across a short, handwritten
notation on the use of “Model X” in denoting a resold jukebox. It was then and there that the
mystery surrounding the handful of late 1920s accounting entries indicating the sale of a Model X
peanut roaster had been solved.
A Model X can be identified typically by the presence of nickel plating (to varying degrees,
depending on the model) beneath a factory-painted surface. Their ledgers indicate Holcomb &
Hoke sold refurbished peanut machines around the time of the Great Depression; however, there
is no evidence to suggest they followed suit in offering a Model X popcorn machine.
The Model X Butter-Kist Peanut Toaster featured here is a Universal model no. 3 with one-cent
salted peanut vendor. The particular red paint used in recovering it is consistent with that used on
other peanut roaster models manufactured in the late 1920s.
The Butter-Kistwich
Toasted Sandwich
Machine
Circa 1925
Boasting handsomely crafted mahogany
cabinetry, white Vitrolite panels, and a nickelplated countertop, the Butter-Kistwich
heralded Holcomb & Hoke's entry into the
lucrative toasted sandwich and hot dog
business. These machines were most
commonly installed in drugstores and
pharmacies that featured "fountains" – quickserve lunch counters. They could also be
found in bowling alleys, movie theaters and
similar food service venues.
The Butter-Kistwich (also available in a 15" x
30" countertop model) features a built-in
breadboard, compartments for bread/buns
and condiments, and special electrical wiring
for instant regulation of heat and light. This
enabled one operator to serve numerous hot
sandwiches and hot dogs quickly and at
minimum cost.
A notable feature of the unit is its unique sign,
which flashes between "Hungry?" and "Eat a
Kistwich." Holcomb & Hoke prided itself on its
ability to attract customers and increase sales volume through creative advertising. A Kistwich
sandwich or hot dog, which commonly sold for 15 to 20 cents, yielded a profit of about 70 to 80
percent. Merchant testimonials indicate that operating a Butter-Kistwich also stimulated soft drink
sales by as much as 50 percent.
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