The Beistle Company: Difference between revisions
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'''The Beistle Company''', or simply '''Beistle''', is an American company known for manufacturing [[holiday]] decorations and party goods, and |
'''The Beistle Company''', or simply '''Beistle''', is an American company known for manufacturing [[holiday]] decorations and party goods, and particularly known for its catalog of [[Halloween]] decorations. Beistle was founded in 1900 in [[Pennsylvania]] by Martin Luther Beistle, who created the company after being inspired by his experiences as a calendar salesperson and his exposure to a form of [[paper craft]] during a visit to Germany. |
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Beistle's line of Halloween-themed products, which was introduced in the 1920s, helped to popularize Halloween decoration in the United States. The Beistle Company is the oldest continuing manufacturer of decorations and party goods in the U.S.<ref name=aboutus>{{cite web|url=http://www.beistle.com/AboutUs.aspx|title=About Us|publisher=Beistle|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Around 1900, Martin Luther Beistle worked as a salesperson for the Pittsburgh Art Calendar Company.<ref name=aboutus /> While in hotels showcasing his calendars, his customers commented about the lobby plants requiring water |
Around 1900, Martin Luther Beistle worked as a salesperson for the Pittsburgh Art Calendar Company.<ref name=aboutus /> While in hotels showcasing his calendars, his customers commented about the lobby plants requiring water; this gave him the idea to create artificial plants made from paper, as that would eliminate the need to water them.<ref name=aboutus /> During a visit to [[Heidelberg, Germany]], Beistle observed a honeycombing technique{{Definition needed|date=October 2019}} which inspired him to create a line of honeycombed [[tissue paper]] decorations and products.<ref name=aboutus /> |
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Beistle founded the Beistle Company in 1900 in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] in the basement of his home, where he made artificial flowers and wooden products,{{ |
Beistle founded the Beistle Company in 1900 in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]] in the basement of his home, where he made artificial flowers and wooden products,<ref name=gill>{{cite book|last=Gill|first=Paul E.|year=2012|title=Shippensburg|publisher=[[Arcadia Publishing]]|page=61|isbn=978-1531651008}}</ref> and the company's facilities soon expanded to the small town of Oakville, Pennsylvania.<ref name=aboutus /> The company was incorporated in 1907, and its manufacturing center was moved to the second floor of a wagon shop.<ref name=aboutus /> The company then expanded further, eventually moving to larger facilities in [[Shippensburg, Pennsylvania]].<ref name=aboutus /><ref name=kiner>{{cite web|url=https://www.pennlive.com/life/2019/05/vintage-photos-of-shippensburg-in-1952.html|title=Vintage photos of Shippensburg in 1952|last=Kiner|first=Deb|date=May 14, 2019|website=[[Penn Live]]|publisher=[[The Patriot-News]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> In 1910, Beistle imported the technology to produce honeycomb tissue—which was previously only available in Europe and Asia, with Germany serving as a popular source for such materials—to the United States.<ref name=gill /> Beistle also acquired numerous patents, adding to the company's success.<ref name=gill /> |
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In the 1920s, Beistle partnered with the Paper Novelty Company to create a variety of paper decorations for holidays such as [[Valentine's Day]], [[Easter]], [[Halloween]], [[Thanksgiving]], and [[Christmas]], with the Halloween decorations being the first seasonal decorations to be added to Beistle's catalog.<ref name=kiner /><ref name=redbook21>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/news/g3755/vintage-halloween/?slide=5|title=What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born - 1921|author=Country Living Staff|author-link=Country Living|date=October 7, 2016|work=[[Redbook]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Beistle Company released [[fortune-telling]] games as entertainment for Halloween parties, and these games have since become popular with collectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/news/g3755/vintage-halloween/?slide=13|title=What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born - 1928|author=Country Living Staff|author-link=Country Living|date=October 7, 2016|work=[[Redbook]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> Beistle has produced over 1,000 different Halloween-themed designs and decorations since the line was first introduced, and the inexpensiveness and availability of the products helped to popularize Halloween decoration in the U.S.<ref name=kiner /><ref name=redbook21 /> Creepy Company, founded in 2015, has produced apparel, enamel pins, and other products based on Beistle designs under the company's license.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/21065-creepy-co-enamel-pins-art-horror|title=How Creepy Co. Turns Horror Icons Into Wearable Art|last=Hutchinson|first=Sean|date=September 16, 2016|website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> |
In the 1920s, Beistle partnered with the Paper Novelty Company to create a variety of paper decorations for holidays such as [[Valentine's Day]], [[Easter]], [[Halloween]], [[Thanksgiving]], and [[Christmas]], with the Halloween decorations being the first seasonal decorations to be added to Beistle's catalog.<ref name=kiner /><ref name=redbook21>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/news/g3755/vintage-halloween/?slide=5|title=What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born - 1921|author=Country Living Staff|author-link=Country Living|date=October 7, 2016|work=[[Redbook]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Beistle Company released [[fortune-telling]] games as entertainment for Halloween parties, and these games have since become popular with collectors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/news/g3755/vintage-halloween/?slide=13|title=What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born - 1928|author=Country Living Staff|author-link=Country Living|date=October 7, 2016|work=[[Redbook]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> Beistle has produced over 1,000 different Halloween-themed designs and decorations since the line was first introduced, and the inexpensiveness and availability of the products helped to popularize Halloween decoration in the U.S.<ref name=kiner /><ref name=redbook21 /> Creepy Company, founded in 2015, has produced apparel, enamel pins, and other products based on Beistle designs under the company's license.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.inverse.com/article/21065-creepy-co-enamel-pins-art-horror|title=How Creepy Co. Turns Horror Icons Into Wearable Art|last=Hutchinson|first=Sean|date=September 16, 2016|website=[[Inverse (website)|Inverse]]|access-date=October 17, 2019}}</ref> |
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Martin Luther Beistle died in 1935, and passed ownership of the company on to his son- |
Martin Luther Beistle died in 1935, and passed ownership of the company on to his son-in-law Henry E. Luhrs and his family.<ref name=gill /> |
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==In popular culture== |
==In popular culture== |
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{{Reflist|30em}} |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==Further reading== |
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* {{cite book|last=Arkins|first=Diane|year=2000|title=Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear|publisher=[[Pelican Publishing]]|isbn=978-1565547124 |
* {{cite book|last=Arkins|first=Diane|year=2000|title=Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear|publisher=[[Pelican Publishing]]|isbn=978-1565547124}} |
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* {{cite book|last= |
* {{cite book|last=Schneider|first=Stuart|year=1995|title=Halloween in America: A Collector's Guide With Prices|publisher=[[Schiffer Publishing]]|isbn=978-0887407079}} |
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* {{cite book|last=Schneider|first=Stuart|year=1995|title=Halloween in America: A Collector's Guide With Prices|publisher=[[Schiffer Publishing]]|isbn=978-0887407079|ref=harv}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{official website|https://www.beistle.com/Default.aspx}} |
*{{official website|https://www.beistle.com/Default.aspx}} |
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{{Halloween|state=collapsed}} |
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[[Category:1900 establishments in Pennsylvania]] |
[[Category:1900 establishments in Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:American companies established in 1900]] |
[[Category:American companies established in 1900]] |
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[[Category:Companies based in Cumberland County, |
[[Category:Companies based in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania]] |
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[[Category:Halloween]] |
[[Category:Halloween]] |
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[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Pennsylvania]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:16, 9 November 2024
 | |
| Industry | Manufacturing Distribution |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1900 |
| Founders | Martin Luther Beistle |
| Headquarters | , U.S.[1] |
Key people | Henry E. Luhrs |
| Website | beistle.com |
The Beistle Company, or simply Beistle, is an American company known for manufacturing holiday decorations and party goods, and particularly known for its catalog of Halloween decorations. Beistle was founded in 1900 in Pennsylvania by Martin Luther Beistle, who created the company after being inspired by his experiences as a calendar salesperson and his exposure to a form of paper craft during a visit to Germany.
Beistle's line of Halloween-themed products, which was introduced in the 1920s, helped to popularize Halloween decoration in the United States. The Beistle Company is the oldest continuing manufacturer of decorations and party goods in the U.S.[2]
History
[edit]Around 1900, Martin Luther Beistle worked as a salesperson for the Pittsburgh Art Calendar Company.[2] While in hotels showcasing his calendars, his customers commented about the lobby plants requiring water; this gave him the idea to create artificial plants made from paper, as that would eliminate the need to water them.[2] During a visit to Heidelberg, Germany, Beistle observed a honeycombing technique[definition needed] which inspired him to create a line of honeycombed tissue paper decorations and products.[2]
Beistle founded the Beistle Company in 1900 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the basement of his home, where he made artificial flowers and wooden products,[3] and the company's facilities soon expanded to the small town of Oakville, Pennsylvania.[2] The company was incorporated in 1907, and its manufacturing center was moved to the second floor of a wagon shop.[2] The company then expanded further, eventually moving to larger facilities in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.[2][4] In 1910, Beistle imported the technology to produce honeycomb tissue—which was previously only available in Europe and Asia, with Germany serving as a popular source for such materials—to the United States.[3] Beistle also acquired numerous patents, adding to the company's success.[3]
In the 1920s, Beistle partnered with the Paper Novelty Company to create a variety of paper decorations for holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, with the Halloween decorations being the first seasonal decorations to be added to Beistle's catalog.[4][5] In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Beistle Company released fortune-telling games as entertainment for Halloween parties, and these games have since become popular with collectors.[6] Beistle has produced over 1,000 different Halloween-themed designs and decorations since the line was first introduced, and the inexpensiveness and availability of the products helped to popularize Halloween decoration in the U.S.[4][5] Creepy Company, founded in 2015, has produced apparel, enamel pins, and other products based on Beistle designs under the company's license.[7]
Martin Luther Beistle died in 1935, and passed ownership of the company on to his son-in-law Henry E. Luhrs and his family.[3]
In popular culture
[edit]In 2017, the American heavy metal band Acid Witch released the song "Mr. Beistle", which makes references to Martin Luther Beistle and the Beistle Company, on their album Evil Sound Screamers.[8][additional citation(s) needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Contact Us". Beistle. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g "About Us". Beistle. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Gill, Paul E. (2012). Shippensburg. Arcadia Publishing. p. 61. ISBN 978-1531651008.
- ^ a b c Kiner, Deb (May 14, 2019). "Vintage photos of Shippensburg in 1952". Penn Live. The Patriot-News. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ a b Country Living Staff (October 7, 2016). "What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born - 1921". Redbook. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ Country Living Staff (October 7, 2016). "What Halloween Was Like the Year You Were Born - 1928". Redbook. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ Hutchinson, Sean (September 16, 2016). "How Creepy Co. Turns Horror Icons Into Wearable Art". Inverse. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
- ^ Krovatin, Chris (September 11, 2018). "The Underground Sounds Of America: Acid Witch". Kerrang!. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
Further reading
[edit]- Arkins, Diane (2000). Halloween Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear. Pelican Publishing. ISBN 978-1565547124.
- Schneider, Stuart (1995). Halloween in America: A Collector's Guide With Prices. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0887407079.