Vintage 1950s Chocolatiers-Russell Stover Candies, In

Vintage 1950s

Chocolatiers

A beautiful box of chocolates just says, Valentine's Day (among other celebrations.  I thought it would be fun to look up some of the popular chocolatiers of the 1950s. Enjoy your walk down memory lane.

Russell Stover Candies, Inc., founded by Russell and Clara Stover in 1923, is an American supplier of candy, chocolate, and confections. The corporate headquarters are in Kansas City, Missouri.

          Russell Stover Candies did not start with candy. In 1921, Russell Stover and his partner, Iowa schoolteacher Christian Kent Nelson, created the world's first chocolate-dipped ice cream bar. At a dinner party, Russell's wife Clara Stover suggested calling it an Eskimo Pie. The product was a success for them, making them quite a fortune in their first year.

          However, as other companies soon began to release similar chocolate-dipped ice cream products, Russell Stover was nearly forced out of business. The Stovers sold their share of the company for $25,000 and moved to Denver, Colorado. In 1923, Russell and Clara created the new company from their home, packaging and selling boxed chocolates. They were originally named "Mrs. Stover's Bungalow Candies". However, 20 years later, in 1943, it was renamed Russell Stover Candies.

          The company remained in the Stover family until 1969 when it was purchased by Louis Ward, who transformed the Midwest regional brand into a worldwide brand. The company expanded its chocolate brands by acquiring Whitman's in 1993  and Pangburn's in 1999. It was owned by the Ward family until July 14, 2014, when the Swiss chocolate maker Lindt bought Russell Stover Candies.

          So, taste buds ready for some chocolate now?

Vintage 1950s Women's Fashion

Women's Fashion

Loafer/Moccasins

          The most casual shoe for girls and women was the loafer.  Moccasins fit into this category and were a staple in most young women’s closets. Easy to slip on, available in all sorts of fun colors, casual enough to wear with bobby socks or sockless, and durable enough to last all year, they were practically perfect.

          The penny loafer got its name by the slit in the decorative leather strap across the tongue. It was sized for a coin that teens would use to call home. Brown or white were the most common penny loafer colors. Other slip-on loafer shoes came in many colorful shades and shiny materials, like patent leather or plastic. Some were clear plastic, although they proved problematic once the foot started to sweat turning the plastic milky white. Yuck!

          Loafers were worn by women with sport attire, like play-suits, shorts, capri pants, and jumper dresses. Casual shoes for casual clothing was the rule. No stockings or even socks were required either.

Vintage 1950s Men's Fashion

Vintage 1950s

Men's Fashion

Socks

          Socks that remained hidden under suit pants were the one area that had some personality in business dress. Argyle socks were very popular. Geometric designs on the ankles were also popular.

          Looking at men’s business sock choices today, we can see very little has changed since the 1950s. 

Vintage 1950s Cars

Studebaker

          Studebaker (1852–1967)  was an American wagon and automobile manufacturer

based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the military.

          Studebaker entered the automotive business in 1902 with electric vehicles and in 1904 with gasoline vehicles, all sold under the name Studebaker Automobile Company. After years of financial problems, in 1954 the company merged with luxury carmaker Packard to form Studebaker-Packard Corporation. However, Studebaker's financial problems were worse than the Packard executives thought. The Packard brand was phased out, and the company returned to the Studebaker Corporation name in 1962.

          After WWII, Studebaker was the only auto company to actually make a “new” 1950 model. Two series were debuted, the Champion with three trim levels and the pricier Commander which had a longer wheelbase.
only the Starlight Coupe had the drastic wraparound rear window.

          From the 1953 to 1955 Sports Coupe the new edition had a 275hp V-8 borrowed from Packard. It was race ready. Other Hawk models included Sky Hawk, Power Hawk and Flight Hawk

          The Hawk had air conditioning and 14″ wheels. The Lark was introduced as the nation slid into a recession. Demands for compact economy cars peaked. The Lark helped to increase Studebaker production by 150% and sales doubled. It came in two or four door sedans, a two-door hardtop and a station wagon model. But even this didn't save the company.