History of Coca-Cola Advertising Thermometers and Their Rise in Popularity

The History of Coca-Cola Thermometers

Coca-Cola thermometers have a long and storied history, stretching back to the early days of the iconic beverage brand. As Coca-Cola grew rapidly in popularity in the late 19th and early 20th century, the company began using innovative advertising and marketing techniques to promote its products. One of those methods was utilizing custom-made thermometers to display the Coca-Cola name and brand in soda shops, diners, and stores across America.

The Early Years: Soda Fountains and Store Signage

Some of the earliest Coca-Cola thermometers were made for installation in soda fountains and drink stations where Coca-Cola was served chilled and refreshing. These thermometers allowed soda jerks to keep an eye on the temperature of their beverages to ensure optimum refreshment. The early thermometers featured the distinctive Spencerian script Coca-Cola logo and often had colorful enamel backgrounds in a vintage art-deco style.

In addition to soda fountains, Coca-Cola thermometers became popular signage items for the countless neighborhood stores and shops that sold Coca-Cola bottles and served draught Coke. Store owners would proudly display these eye-catching thermometers to alert customers that ice-cold Coke was available inside.

The Golden Age: Advertising Specialty Thermometers

As Coca-Cola further expanded its advertising and distribution methods in the pre and post-war period, the company distributed a wide array of branded promotional items to stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more. These advertising specialties included calendars, clocks, trays, and custom thermometers that incorporated creative graphic designs and color schemes.

Many vintage Coca-Cola thermometers from the 1940s-1960s fall into the category of collectible advertising specialties. It was common to see such promotional thermometers displayed on the countertops of mom-and-pop shops, neighborhood service stations, and rural country stores across Middle America where Coca-Cola was becoming an increasingly ubiquitous presence.

Popular Styles and Designs

There were many unique styles and designs of Coca-Cola thermometers made throughout the 20th century. Some of the most popular include:

Porcelain Thermometers

From the 1920s-1950s, porcelain enamel thermometers with metal fixtures were very common. These featured baked-on enamel signage showcasing Coca-Cola logos, slogans, and imagery. The enameled steel and porcelain construction made them very durable and able to withstand outdoor elements.

Cardboard Thermometers

As a low-cost promotional alternative, Coca-Cola also produced advertising thermometers printed on cardboard in the 1960s-1970s. These featured colorful graphics and logo designs to capture consumer attention. Large Coca-Cola cardboard thermometers were common as store displays during this era.

Custom Gas & Service Station Thermometers

Coca-Cola produced many custom thermometer styles for gas stations including large standing metal thermometers, glass lens face thermometers, and mini dial thermometers for gas pumps. These were widely distributed to promote Coke at nationwide roadside service stations.

Specialty Brand Thermometers

Beginning in the 1950s, Coca-Cola experimented with specialty brand extensions including Sprite, Fanta, and Fresca. Custom thermometers were created to promote these brands in soda fountains and stores as well.

Collecting Vintage Coca-Cola Thermometers Today

For Coca-Cola memorabilia collectors, vintage thermometers are prized and sought-after artifacts. Their visual appeal, variety of design styles, and historical significance make them popular collectibles.

It's common to see early porcelain enamel thermometers sell for anywhere from $50 to over $300 depending on rarity, graphics, condition, and demand. Even old cardboard advertising thermometers can fetch upwards of $100 if graphics are intact.

When evaluating vintage Coca-Cola thermometers for collectibility, collectors pay special attention to condition, manufacturing dates, graphics, materials used, and overall display visuals. Rare thermometer formats or those connected to a particular event also gain value.

For collectors, locating these vintage items at antique shops, flea markets, estate sales, and online auctions takes patience and persistence. But the thrill of stumbling upon a unique, early Coca-Cola thermometer makes the hunt well worth it.

As iconic artifacts from the early days of commercial advertising, Coca-Cola thermometers will likely only continue to rise in popularity with collectors interested in 20th century Americana. Their charming designs offer a glimpse into the mass marketing efforts that helped make Coke one of the most recognizable brands on the planet.

FAQs

Where were vintage Coca-Cola thermometers commonly displayed?

Early Coca-Cola thermometers could be found in soda fountains, diners, shops, gas stations, and anywhere that sold Coke products. They served both as decorative signage and as temperature monitoring tools for serving chilled beverages.

What materials were commonly used to construct antique Coke thermometers?

Common materials included porcelain enamel over steel, cardboard, glass lenses, various metal alloys, and custom plastic casings. This variety of materials used contributes to Coke thermometer appeal today.

What types of graphics did Coca-Cola advertising thermometers feature?

Imagery on Coke thermometers through the decades included the Spencerian script logo, art deco motifs, seasonal graphics, specialty brand extensions, custom illustrations, typography slogans, and more.

Why are vintage Coca-Cola thermometers popular with collectors?

Their visual appeal, American nostalgia, connection to advertising history, variety of styles, and significance as Coke memorabilia make antique thermometers desirable to collectors.