Summary
Overview
This episode explores Mold-O-Rama machines, the fascinating vending devices from the 1960s that manufacture custom plastic figurines on demand. Hosts Josh and Chuck dive into the history of these 'factories in a case,' from their invention by J.H. 'Tyke' Miller through their heyday at World's Fairs, to their surprising longevity with original 1960s machines still operating today at zoos and tourist attractions across America.
Introduction to Mold-O-Rama Machines
The hosts introduce Mold-O-Rama as injection blow molded plastic toy dispensers that create figurines on demand right before customers' eyes. These distinctive jukebox-like machines heat plastic pellets to 225-250°F, inject the molten material into molds, and produce hollow plastic souvenirs in about a minute. Despite the potentially terrible name, these machines became iconic fixtures at American tourist destinations.
- Mold-O-Rama is described as a 'factory in a case' that creates on-demand plastic toys
- The machines look like jukeboxes from a distance and mechanically create plastic figurines in front of customers
- Original machines from the 1960s are still operational today at locations like the Toledo Zoo
" You walk into a room. Let's say it's the Sears Tower, not Willis Tower. Is it Willis? Oh, yeah, that was Willis Tower. Sears Tower. Who keeps calling it Willis Tower? Stop that. "
" Every Moldorama machine that you might encounter, including 10 at the Toledo Zoo, by the way, were built in the 60s and have been operational ever since. "
The Origin Story: Tyke Miller and the Nativity Figure
In 1937, J.H. 'Tyke' Miller of Quincy, Illinois needed to replace a broken piece from his nativity scene but stores wouldn't sell individual pieces. This frustration led him and his wife to start making plaster figurines, eventually founding a successful company. When World War II cut off German nativity imports, their business boomed, and by the 1950s they transitioned to plastic injection molding that would eventually lead to Mold-O-Rama.
- Tyke Miller's dog decapitated his baby Jesus figurine, but stores only sold complete nativity sets
- WWII created opportunity when German nativity imports stopped, leading to 'liberty figures' instead of nativity figures
- The company moved from plaster to plastic injection blow molding in the 1950s
- Miller's company went bankrupt in 1959 despite previous success
" Nothing says 1950s Midwest more than plastic nativity figures. You know? Made by a man named Tyke. "
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