Chip Chat: Red Dot
and the Potato Chip
Red Dot Potato Chip Can, ca. 1950
Donated by University of Wisconsin-Madison Geology Museum.
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 2002.384.1
Merchandising
In 1948 Red Dot Foods decided to sell only snack foods they themselves manufactured. At first the company lost money, but the spread of supermarkets and a growing demand for snacks turned the company into a multimillion-dollar business.
As television viewing became more popular so did a "sustenance-by-snacks" mode of eating. Red Dot broadened its snack food repertoire to meet the growing demand by adding nuts, pretzels, and popcorn to its line.
Ta-To became the symbol of Red Dot Foods in the early 1940s. The company gave the promotional doll featured here to one of its employees.
Red Dot Foods began a newsletter named "Chip Chat" for friends and family in August 1945. The March-April 1961 issue featured Ta-To the Clown as portrayed by Cousin Otto, a famous clown from Whitewater, Wisconsin. Popular radio personality Two-Ton Baker provided Ta-To's voice for radio advertisements.
Red Dot Popcorn Can, ca. 1955
Donated by Jill Kohler Garbacz.
Wisconsin Historical Museum object # 1991.113.1