Cretors
Encyclopedia
C. Cretors & Company was established in 1885 with the invention of the first popcorn machine to pop corn in oil
. 126 years later they are still manufacturing popcorn machines and other concessions equipment. C. Cretors & Co. is still owned by the Cretors family in Chicago
, which is in its fifth generation, continuing to build on the innovation of their great, great grandfather. Cretors has been featured on the Travel Channel
's TV show Made in America, as well as Big, in which they manufactured the Guinness World Record's largest popcorn machine.
shop. He purchased a peanut roaster for his shop to broaden his product line to include freshly roasted peanuts. He was not satisfied with the new machine, so he redesigned it to work better. He moved to Chicago where he felt he could become a commercial success by selling his new machine. He purchased a vendors license in order to test his machine in front of his shop. The license is dated December 2, 1885, which marks the inception of C. Cretors & Co.
A chance meeting happened between Cretors and a traveling salesman who purchased a bag of roasted peanuts. The salesman, J.M Savage, was very intrigued with the new peanut roaster, and offered to sell it in his territory. Cretors agreed to the proposal, and hired his first salesman.
The new roaster was driven by a small steam engine, which automated the roasting process. By 1893, Cretors had created a steam powered machine that could roast peanuts as well as pop corn
in oil. Cretors' machine design offered several advantages over the hand-operated process. Cretors’ machine became the first automated machine that could pop popcorn
uniformly in its own seasonings. As a result, the product came out the same way every time. Cretors applied for a patent on his new automated peanut roaster and popcorn popper machine
, which was granted in 1893.
Charles Cretors took his new popcorn wagon to the Midway of Chicago's Columbian Exposition
in 1893 and introduced the new corn product to the public. After a trial period where Cretors gave away samples of his new popcorn product, people began to line up to purchase bags of the hot, buttered popcorn. The smell of roasting peanuts and of hot buttered corn being popped in its seasoning right before the buyers eyes was enough to attract attention and ultimately sales.
By 1900, Cretors introduced the Special – the first large horse drawn popcorn wagon. It was an immediate success. Three variations of this wagon were created.
This was also the time period that electricity was becoming the wave of the future. Charles Cretors created the first popcorn machine with an electric motor. Charles did what he knew best – to give his customers the best he had to offer and the best they could buy anywhere. As a result, C. Cretors and Company holds one of the oldest active Underwriters Laboratories
numbers (EA175) for electrically operated machinery.
The electric poppers soon took to market and electricity quickly became the choice of power, as steam power had a long reputation for being complicated and dangerous.
As theater attendance grew through the 1920s, Cretors began designing machines that could pop and hold more of the product. Popcorn continued to grow in popularity through the Great Depression
due to its low cost.
C. Cretors and Company, along with the rest of the world was faced with World War II. In 1941 the War Production Board
issued L-65, stopping all non-war-related production. The U.S. was officially in World War II, and the country was being mobilized for the effort. Cretors went to work for the war effort and became a government supplier. Cretors purchased new production equipment and lined itself up for continued operation – producing aircraft oil line fittings and mechanical radio components among other things. After the war, the company, as did all other manufacturing companies, faced a shortage of materials. Cretors introduced the Super 60, a popcorn machine with an all walnut cabinet. Since then they have continued designing new poppers and features to meet the new needs of theaters, concession stand
s, and customers.
On July 7, 1988, the United States Postal Service issued a 16.7 cent postage stamp that featured an illustration of the Cretors 1902 Model of the No. 1 Wagon. It was issued as part of the transportation series. It was done to pay tribute to America's first snack and the machine that made it all possible.
Cretors has continued to expand their product line to include other food service equipment including warming cabinets, expanded topping and dispensing systems, hot dog, nacho cheese, and caramelizing and nut roasting equipment.
Vegetable fats and oils
Vegetable fats and oils are lipid materials derived from plants. Physically, oils are liquid at room temperature, and fats are solid. Chemically, both fats and oils are composed of triglycerides, as contrasted with waxes which lack glycerin in their structure...
. 126 years later they are still manufacturing popcorn machines and other concessions equipment. C. Cretors & Co. is still owned by the Cretors family in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, which is in its fifth generation, continuing to build on the innovation of their great, great grandfather. Cretors has been featured on the Travel Channel
Travel Channel
The Travel Channel is a satellite and cable television channel that is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland, US. It features documentaries and how-to shows related to travel and leisure around the United States and throughout the world. Programming has included shows in African animal safaris,...
's TV show Made in America, as well as Big, in which they manufactured the Guinness World Record's largest popcorn machine.
History
Charles Cretors was originally from Lebanon, Ohio, but eventually made his way to Decatur, Illinois, where he opened a bakery, and eventually a confectioneryConfectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
shop. He purchased a peanut roaster for his shop to broaden his product line to include freshly roasted peanuts. He was not satisfied with the new machine, so he redesigned it to work better. He moved to Chicago where he felt he could become a commercial success by selling his new machine. He purchased a vendors license in order to test his machine in front of his shop. The license is dated December 2, 1885, which marks the inception of C. Cretors & Co.
A chance meeting happened between Cretors and a traveling salesman who purchased a bag of roasted peanuts. The salesman, J.M Savage, was very intrigued with the new peanut roaster, and offered to sell it in his territory. Cretors agreed to the proposal, and hired his first salesman.
The new roaster was driven by a small steam engine, which automated the roasting process. By 1893, Cretors had created a steam powered machine that could roast peanuts as well as pop corn
Popcorn
Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...
in oil. Cretors' machine design offered several advantages over the hand-operated process. Cretors’ machine became the first automated machine that could pop popcorn
Popcorn
Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...
uniformly in its own seasonings. As a result, the product came out the same way every time. Cretors applied for a patent on his new automated peanut roaster and popcorn popper machine
Popcorn maker
A popcorn maker is a device used to pop popcorn. Commercial popcorn machines are usually found in movie theaters and carnivals, producing popcorn of the oil-popped type, which has approximately 45% of its calories derived from fat...
, which was granted in 1893.
Charles Cretors took his new popcorn wagon to the Midway of Chicago's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition
The World's Columbian Exposition was a World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Chicago bested New York City; Washington, D.C.; and St...
in 1893 and introduced the new corn product to the public. After a trial period where Cretors gave away samples of his new popcorn product, people began to line up to purchase bags of the hot, buttered popcorn. The smell of roasting peanuts and of hot buttered corn being popped in its seasoning right before the buyers eyes was enough to attract attention and ultimately sales.
By 1900, Cretors introduced the Special – the first large horse drawn popcorn wagon. It was an immediate success. Three variations of this wagon were created.
This was also the time period that electricity was becoming the wave of the future. Charles Cretors created the first popcorn machine with an electric motor. Charles did what he knew best – to give his customers the best he had to offer and the best they could buy anywhere. As a result, C. Cretors and Company holds one of the oldest active Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is an independent product safety certification organization. Established in 1894, the company has its headquarters in Northbrook, Illinois. UL develops standards and test procedures for products, materials, components, assemblies, tools and equipment, chiefly dealing...
numbers (EA175) for electrically operated machinery.
The electric poppers soon took to market and electricity quickly became the choice of power, as steam power had a long reputation for being complicated and dangerous.
As theater attendance grew through the 1920s, Cretors began designing machines that could pop and hold more of the product. Popcorn continued to grow in popularity through the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
due to its low cost.
C. Cretors and Company, along with the rest of the world was faced with World War II. In 1941 the War Production Board
War Production Board
The War Production Board was established as a government agency on January 16, 1942 by executive order of Franklin D. Roosevelt.The purpose of the board was to regulate the production and allocation of materials and fuel during World War II in the United States...
issued L-65, stopping all non-war-related production. The U.S. was officially in World War II, and the country was being mobilized for the effort. Cretors went to work for the war effort and became a government supplier. Cretors purchased new production equipment and lined itself up for continued operation – producing aircraft oil line fittings and mechanical radio components among other things. After the war, the company, as did all other manufacturing companies, faced a shortage of materials. Cretors introduced the Super 60, a popcorn machine with an all walnut cabinet. Since then they have continued designing new poppers and features to meet the new needs of theaters, concession stand
Concession stand
A concession stand , snack kiosk or snack bar is the term used to refer to a place where patrons can purchase snacks or food at a cinema, fair, stadium, or other entertainment venue. Some events or venues contract out the right to sell food to third parties...
s, and customers.
On July 7, 1988, the United States Postal Service issued a 16.7 cent postage stamp that featured an illustration of the Cretors 1902 Model of the No. 1 Wagon. It was issued as part of the transportation series. It was done to pay tribute to America's first snack and the machine that made it all possible.
Cretors has continued to expand their product line to include other food service equipment including warming cabinets, expanded topping and dispensing systems, hot dog, nacho cheese, and caramelizing and nut roasting equipment.
Product lines
- Small concessions poppers
- Large concessions poppers
- Display and Cornditioner cabinets
- Gourmet Retail EquipmentGourmetGourmet is a cultural ideal associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drink, or haute cuisine, which is characterised by elaborate preparations and presentations of large meals of small, often quite rich courses...
- Topping and Dispensers
- Hot DogHot dogA hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
Equipment - Cotton CandyCotton candyCotton candy , candy floss or candyfloss or candy buttox , or fairy floss is a form of spun sugar. Since cotton candy is mostly air, a small initial quantity of sugar generates a tremendously greater final volume, causing servings to be physically large and voluminous...
- Ice ShaversSnow coneSnow cones or snow balls are a variation of the shaved ice dessert commonly served throughout North America in paper cones or styrofoam cups...