Wisconsin 101

An advertisement for Fromm furs using their “bright with silver” slogan and printed on metallic silver paper, Women’s Wear Daily, March 11, 1936.

The Fromm Brand and the Hamburg Fur Auction

Probably the biggest reason for the success of the Fromm Brothers’ fur farm was the particular color of fur that they bred. As fashions shifted to favor the trademark Fromm “bright with silver” color, the Fromms were in a position to capitalize on their control of…

Comments Off

January 1, 2017

The history of fur and fashion runs deep in North America. October 1953 issue of Vogue.

Fashion and Fur

The End of the Old Fur TradeThe development of fur farms at the close of the 19th century was perhaps the most revolutionary change in North America’s fur industry, and fashion played a significant role in that change. Beaver pelts had been the…

0 Comments

January 1, 2017

Read more about the article Horlick’s Malted Milk Company

Official letterhead of what was then known as the Horlick’s Food Company, 1895.

Racine County / Racine / Region 8 - South East / Horlick's Malted Milk / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Food & Cooking / 1860-1880 / Global Connections

Horlick’s Malted Milk Company

Founded in 1873, under the name “J & W Horlick Company,” the Horlick’s Malted Milk Company was the creation of brothers William and James Horlick. The company specialized in producing malted milk as a nutritional supplement in a variety of forms: from…

0 Comments

October 1, 2016

Read more about the article The Father of Malted Milk

William Horlick, the father of malted milk, in Racine, Wisconsin, c. 1910. Photograph courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Image ID: 23698

Racine County / Racine / Region 8 - South East / Horlick's Malted Milk / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Food & Cooking / 1860-1880 / 1880-1900 / 1900-1920 / 1920-1940 / Global Connections

The Father of Malted Milk

William Horlick was born on February 23, 1846 to James and Priscilla Horlick in the village of Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England. In 1869, William made his first voyage to the United States to visit his distant uncle, Joseph A. Horlick of Racine, Wisconsin.…

0 Comments

October 1, 2016

Read more about the article Bowling in Japan

Bowling featured on this 1964 cover of a special issue of Life Magazine devoted to Japan. Click to enlarge.

Langlade County / Antigo / Vulcan Bowling Pin / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Art, Sport & Entertainment / 1960-1980 / Global Connections

Bowling in Japan

In 1964, a representative of Japanese company Sanko Trading visited the Vulcan Corporation, a bowling-pin manufacturer based in Antigo, Wisconsin. Sanko was seeking a deal for exclusive rights to import bowling pins to Japan. At the time, Vulcan didn’t think much of the…

0 Comments

February 1, 2016

Read more about the article Milwaukee: The Bowling Capital of America

American Bowling Congress tournament in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, c. 1905. Photographer unknown.

Milwaukee County / Milwaukee / Vulcan Bowling Pin / Region 8 - South East / Related Stories / Manufacturing & Trade / Art, Sport & Entertainment / 1860-1880 / 1880-1900 / 1900-1920 / 1920-1940 / 1940-1960 / 1960-1980 / 1980-2000 / Global Connections

Milwaukee: The Bowling Capital of America

Bowling evolved in the mid-nineteenth century United States from imported European games like the German kegling. Beginning with clubs in eastern U.S cities, bowling grew in popularity and spread to the Midwest—particularly cities like Milwaukee—as German-Americans migrated across the continent. Bowling was often…

0 Comments

February 1, 2016