From the Publisher's Desk...Mid-century Modern Marketing Marvel -- the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile & Replica Whistle

PHOTOS by Jan Schrader...more below

Growing up in the mid-century, tv-addicted kids saw ads featuring Little Oscar driving his amazing Wienermobile around town and handing out replica whistles. What a memorable way to "hawk" Oscar Meyer hot dogs throughout Chicagoland. It was billed as the "biggest hot dog on wheels" As one of those hot-dog loving kids, I wanted that whistle in the worst way.

Well, lo and behold, the Wienermobile is still a marketing marvel making its rounds and was recently spotted in a Naperville, IL grocery store parking lot. And guess what -- still handing out whistles! Finally, after more decades than I care to count, I landed one -- my very own Wienermobile whistle, thanks to a friend who got to step foot inside.

Did you know that the Wienermobile dates back to 1936 when Carl Mayer, nephew of the company’s founder, hatched the idea of a 13-foot metal hot dog on wheels to transport the company spokesperson to meetings.

General Body Company of Chicago designed the first one which featured open cockpits in the center and rear. By 1940, a glass enclosure was added to provide protection for the driver and passengers but because of gas rationing during the war the idea was literally "parked" for a while.

In 1952, the Wienermobile made a triumphant return debuting five new vehicles. Designed by Gerstenslager of Wooster, Ohio, and built on a Dodge chassis, the 22-foot-long hot dogs were the first to have a sound system and sunroof. One of them is currently on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.

By 1958, the newest version featured a futuristic, bubble-nosed wienie on wheels incorporated buns into the design for the first time. They were built on a Willys Jeep chassis,

The driver of a Wienermobile is called The Hotdogger. Only college seniors who are about to graduate are eligible for the job of "meating" and greeting people around the country, answering questions about the brand and handing out swag. Applicants ideally should be getting their undergrad in public relations, journalism, communications, advertising, or marketing. A Hotdogger's assignment is for only one year and in 2018, 7,000 students applied to be Hotdoggers. Each Wienermobile carries two Hotdoggers and only 12 candidates are selected annually to man the 6-vehicle fleet. What a fun job for a young person about to embark on a communications career.

And lastly, here it is! My very own whistle! Good luck finding a Wienermobile in a neighborhood nearby so that you, too, can relish your own. In lieu of that route, you can always buy a vintage one on eBay for the bargain price of $240!! Now that's a lot of piccalilli! -- Lynne Kornecki, Publisher

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