Modern Coatings Aluminum Christmas Tree (Chicago)
- Year
- c. 1955–1962 Source verified
- Manufacturer
- Modern Coatings, Inc. Source verified
About this item
The first commercial aluminum Christmas tree, made by Modern Coatings, Inc. of Chicago around 1955-58. A Modern Coatings tree spotted in a Chicago Ben Franklin store in December 1958 led Aluminum Specialty to develop the cheaper Evergleam.
Details
- Holiday
- Christmas
- Archive type
- Decoration
- Materials
- aluminum
Collector details
Research notes
Search-result snippets cite US Patent 2,893,149 (July 7, 1959) to Modern Coatings for the trunk drill angle and a storage sleeve, and mention a later licensing deal with Aluminum Specialty; neither was checked against a primary source. The end year is an estimate.
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Sources & verification
- History of Ever Gleaming Archive Website Supports: 1958 inspiration from a Modern Coatings tree in Chicago; first Evergleams 1959 and Toy Fair debut; 'Evergleam' trademark 1960; 2-, 4-, 6-, 7-foot sizes; straight, frosty, swirl, fountain branch styles; silver 75-80% of production; sales peaked 1964-1965 at 60-65% market share; popular 1959-1972 View source
- Aluminum Christmas tree Encyclopedia Article Supports: Aluminum Specialty Company produced the majority of aluminum trees 1959-1969, over 1 million trees; retail about $25, wholesale $11.25; trees lit with floor color wheels View source