Judge, 1920-02-07 · page 25 of 36
Judge — February 7, 1920 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising, not satire or political commentary**. It's a 1920 commercial for the Butter-Kist vending machine—an automated popcorn and peanut dispenser. The left illustration shows customers gathered around the machine, depicted as an attraction in stores or theaters. The appeal is straightforward entrepreneurship: business owners could generate $600-$3,120 yearly profit from minimal floor space by selling nickel bags of popcorn/peanuts to customers. The headline's dramatic "$597" claim appears exaggerated (likely a typo for the stated $597 monthly business), suggesting the ad uses hyperbole typical of early 20th-century product marketing. **Historical context:** This reflects the 1920s vending machine boom—an early form of automated retail. The appeal to store owners emphasizes passive income from a machine requiring "no operator—no extra help or expense." There is no cartoon satire here—merely product promotion using period illustration conventions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
February 7, 1920 We Took in $59722 In One Month That’s the statement of a drug storein Cleveland. We quote from their letter tous. “We were very much surprised at the amount of business our Butter- Kist machine did from the very outset. . And business has steadily increased. In one month we did a business of $597.00.” (Written to us by drug store located in Cleveland, Ohio. Name gladly given on request.) The Butter-Kist Pop Corn and Peanut Machine brings new profits Let Us Senda Y. Lott and new trade to stores and theatres oc Us Bho Thoso Mall the Coupon We keep records on what storekeepers and theatre owners are making with the Butter-Kist Machine. And we have the actual figures to prove that the return in net profits is from $600 to $3,120 a year. This means an extra $600 to $3,120 in clear cash profits! And all from the use of a space 26 in. by 32 in., that has been going to waste BUTTER-KIS You know how fond everyone is of pop corn and peanuts. The Butter-Kist Machine makes these goodies doubly inviting. You only have to average 90 nickel bags of Butter-Kist a day to make about $1,000 a year profit. you make 150 per cent profit. Pays Four Ways Motion makes people stop and look. Coaxing t ce makes them buy. Toasty flavor brings trade for blocks. Stimulates all store eales or theatre attendance. 1- 2 runs itself. expense. } be Mail this Coupon for Free Book wax / Wevell the Butter-Kist Pop Corn and Peanut Machine on easy payments. You can pay the balance a little at a time out of your profits. Write us today for all information ; im your store. nd prices. No obfigation. Mail the coupon—NOW! MOLCOME & HOKE MFG. COMPANY, 442 Van Buren Str But that is not all you can count on making with the Butter-Kist Machine. It draws trade. It multiplies all your other sales. It will amaze you to see the full possibilities. Let us tell you all that this wonderful machine means to you. We'll send you proof of profits, photos of stores with the machine. etc.—all free and post paid. POP CORNAND PEANUT MACHINE For on every sale ° The Butter-Kist Machine Requires no operator—no extra help or Busin Address Pwmmmrnn A small amount down puts the machine t, Indianapolis, Indiana 2s ‘ HOLCOMB & HOKE MFG. CO. 4° 442 Van Buren St, Indianapolis. Ind ¢ Without obligation, send me your free Butter-Kist Book—"Ameri ca's New Industry"—with photos, sales records and estimate of how 4 much Ican make with your machine Name ess comicbooks.com