#be wiser buy geiser's

[sohannabarberaesque]

Headcannons vis-a-vis Yogi and "Chips", the Geiser's Potato Chips Bear

(For which things could but get rather interesting)

Yogi and Boo-Boo, sensing that "Chips" could fall down to the ground once the balloons he's holding bursts, bring out (comically) a blanket from their den to serve as ur-trampoline for "Chips" to land on. Just make sure they know the trajectory of a falling bear cub--and hope Ranger Smith doesn't chew out Yogi for "providing inspiration" to "Chips" in the circumstances, with the inevitable threat to send him to some zoo or wildlife park.

For some reason, Yogi fastens a belt around the waist of "Chips" to carry the balloon, and dusts his forepaws with talcum powder so he doesn't let slip the sacks of potato chips during the flight out of sheer nerves and fright (and cause concern on Ranger Smith's part).

As "Chips" falls down to Earth from the heavens, Cindy, Yogi's own romantic interest, distracts Yogi and Boo-Boo for some carnal desire ... only to have Yogi catch "Chips" in his arms, much to the amusement of Cindy, and "Chips" to remark in a snarky and at once puerile tone, "Uh, where exactly am I?", dazed and stunned at the experience.

(Just to give you an idea of the leit-motif to be imagined with the mascot of the now-defunct Wisconsin potato chip brand and how such could be crossed over unto Yogi--BTW, this happens to be the image source):

[togachipblog]

Ball and Cup Promotional Item

The first two photos are of a vintage toy which advertises Geiser’s Potato Chips.  It is a classic ball and cup game. It measures 5 1/4” long and is made of wood.   You can read all about the history of the ball and cup game at http://www.victoriana.com/antiquetoys/cupandball.html

Kendama is an advanced ball and cup game that originated in Japan.  Enjoy the video on it.  

Do you have any memories of playing the ball and the cup game?  If so share your memories under the comments or e-mail me at TogaChipGuy@gmail.com. 

Regarding the history of Geiser's Potato Chips, the following is an excerpt from Frank X. Geiser's Obituary,

Milwaukee Journal

, March 13, 1990.

Born in Germany Frank [X. Geiser] and his brother August, moved to Milwaukee in 1925 to pursue the tailoring trade they had learned in Germany, according to Frank Geiser's daughter, Margaret Taylor. When the brothers saw a news item about potato chips, they decided making chips could become a good business.  August Geiser designed their first potato fryer, and the brothers opened their business in January 1933 in a garage on N. 2nd and W. Wright Sts.   A postcard from  Geiser immigrated to Milwaukee and in 1931 and set up a potato chip business in a garage on Wright and 2nd Street in Milwaukee.  

A postcard from Yellowstone Park, sent by a friend, prompted the brothers to use an erupting geyser as the trademark on their potato chip bags, Taylor said.  The brothers wanted to be sure people pronounced their name correctly as geyser not geezer, Taylor said.

"Dad's old books show that their sales brought in $1.98 that first week," Taylor said.  The brothers did everything by hand, from peeling the potatoes to bagging them.  taylor was often kidded by salesmen who remembered that when she was a baby, she slept on potato sacks while her mother helped make potato chips.  

The business eventually grew large enough to move a few blocks away on N. 3rd St.  In 1946, the firm moved its manufacturing plant at 3033 W. Burleigh Ave., where [Frank] Geiser continued as chairman of the board until the firm was sold in 1983 to Borden's.  

The plant now is used only as a warehouse outlet, and Geiser potato chips are made in Chicago.

"It's a heartbreak when you see [a family business close], Taylor said.  "My dad was always concerned about quality.  There were times when no money was coming in.  But he always said he'd rather do that than put a lousy product on the market."  

"Dad's old books show that their sales brought in $1.98 that first week," Taylor said.  The brothers did everything by hand, from peeling the potatoes to bagging them.  taylor was often kidded by salesmen who remembered that when she was a baby, she slept on potato sacks while her mother helped make potato chips.  

The business eventually grew large enough to move a few blocks away on N. 3rd St.  In 1946, the firm moved its manufacturing plant at 3033 W. Burleigh Ave., where [Frank] Geiser continued as chairman of the board until the firm was sold in 1983 to Borden's.  

The plant now is used only as a warehouse outlet, and Geiser potato chips are made in Chicago.

"It's a heartbreak when you see [a family business close], Taylor said.  "My dad was always concerned about quality.  There were times when no money was coming in.  But he always said he'd rather do that than put a lousy product on the market."  

Frank was interviewed by the Milwaukee Jornal in August 1959.   Regarding the start of his company he said "When prohibition ended, people wanted something to eat with their beer.  We sold our chips first in taverns and then in stores and delicatessens."  

At the 3113 W.  Burleigh Street plant, in addition to potato chips, Geiser's produced popcorn, cheese corn and onion and garlic chips.  Two reasons were cited for the 1983 sale to Borden's Food: 1) The company knew that if it was to be successful outside of Wisconsin - it had been trying to expand into northern Illinois - it needed the marketing savvy that only a larger company could provide; and 2)  In hopes that Borden would help it make better use of its Milwaukee plant, producing some of Borden's own brands there.  In 1980, prior to its sale to Borden,  Geiser's completed a $2.5 million expansion project, which doubled its production capabilities.

The following history of Geiser's is excerpted from https://onmilwaukee.com/market/articles/potatochiphistory.html and was autheored by Nick Leggin.

The [Geiser's potato chip] brand was a stalwart in the Milwaukee area with its "Be Wiser, Buy Geiser's" slogan and cartoon icons (Old Faithful the geyser and a bear carelessly hanging onto balloons). For a time, Geiser also sponsored a formidable junior bowling team. A 1948 Journal Sentinel article mentions the Geiser team finishing sixth in the Wisconsin Bowling Association tournament.

In 1984, the Borden food company bought Geiser's. The parent of Elsie the Cow gobbled up several regional chip brands around this time, including Pennsylvania's Wise (in fact, Wise Cheese Doodles were available locally in the early 1990s). In the early '90s, Borden stopped snacking on chip companies. Geiser's was bought by the Japp family, owner of Jay's potato chips. The Geiser's factory on West Burleigh street dwindled down production soon after, and the brand slowly went away. All that remains are some collector's items featuring the bear and the geyser.

An April 24, 1959 article from the

Milwaukee Journal

included the following interesting item:  A Geiser's route salesman was arrested for stealing $2.500 worth of potato chips.

Police said [Robert W.] Hakenson told them he had taken six to sixteen cases each week during the last year.  Hakenson said that he entered the plant after it was closed by using a hacksaw blade to unbolt a door, police said.

After stealing the chips, Hakenson sold them to customers on his route and pocketed the money, he told police.  He worked for the company for five years.  

Hakenson doesn't seem to have been the brightest thief.  It reminds me of the old story about a plant employee who each day at the end of his shift leaves the plant with a wheelbarrow full of garbage.   Finally, one day the guard asks him "Why do you always leave with all of the garbage?"  The employee responds "I not leaving with garbage, I'm stealing wheelbarrows."  

View the Geiser's memorabilia including the vintage bag, box throw blanket and wall clock.

See the newspaper ads.  

See the photo of the the former home of Geiser Potato Chips at 3113 W. Burleigh.   

It was a beautifully, whimsical art deco design.    Geiser's was acquired by Borden in 1983.   On April 7, 1987, Borden closed the Milwaukee plant eliminating 52 jobs.   Special thanks to the Milwaukee Public Library for their research assistance.  

Enjoy the early 1980'a vintage Doo-Wop commercial for Geyer's

The Toga Chip Guy

[vgmenhatsmart]

^@! Be Wiser buy Geiser Potato Chips Chicago Hat-Cap https://ift.tt/34sV8J5

[sohannabarberaesque]

Inspired, obviously, by the packaging for Geiser's Potato Chips, a now-obscure Midwestern brand thereof

[Mise en scene: Jellystone Park--where else? As the scene opens, we find Yogi Bear and Boo-Boo gazing skywards when they notice something falling from the skies ...] YOGI BEAR, rather exuberantly in scenarios such as this: Hey, Boo-Boo!! It looks like some rather delicious-tasting tourist-type goodies falling from the sky ... almost like manna from heaven! [It turns out that the object in question is two packets of potato chips ... and as Yogi chases off into the meadow to retrieve them, he slips on some mud and lands backward on the ground with a thud. Whereupon--] BOO-BOO, Yogi's "lil' bruin buddy," rushing to the scene of the impact: As you were saying, Yogi ...? [At any rate, the potato chip packets land on the ground and, inevitably, Yogi munches away his fill, sharing some with Boo-Boo. Perhaps it may be safe to assume Ranger Smith, who otherwise gives Yogi no end of annoyance over his pilfering of picnic baskets, has his hands full with other matters this time]