I love finding old wooden one cent or penny gum machines from the early 1900’s. First off, the older generation will remember one cent gumball machines, but do any recall sticks of gum being sold for a penny? Probably not, as the era when these machines dominated soda fountains and candy or general store counters is long passed as are the people who lived in that era. Zeno, a well-known gum manufacturer led the charge as they placed their gum machines all over the United States back in the early 1900 era. Today collectors can still find these point-of-sale machines being sold at auction houses or in private collections of general store collectors emulated displays.
The Zeno Gum company was based in Chicago, Illinois and produced a myriad of various styles of these gum machines. The display shown here is 16 inches in height and about 8 inches wide. Zeno gum was also heavily advertised with point of purchase displays, lithographic and tin signage, and other items such as advertising globe lights, the gum machines side walls, etc. The company did well promoting their one cent penny gum and was a forerunner in the industry long before the Wrigley brand later dominated the gum category.