Photo 1 HO scale Water Tank by Andy Rubbo
Copyright 2023 Nicholas Kalis
Photo 2 A Vintage Advertisement for Wheatena
Photo 3 A Box of Wheatena
Photo 4 Vintage Popeye Display for Wheatena
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Any Rubbo's modeling is more than first rate (see companion blog posting of even date); with countless such vignettes scattered around his layout. This 2023 photo (Photo 1) depicts perhaps my favorite - as Andy pointed this one out - I suspected New Jersey's Rubbo also considers this one a favorite. I enjoyed the spark of color introduced into his layout by the industrial water tank Rubbo depicts in HO scale. In front of his water tower are carefully crafted Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) catenary wires. For those curious, his red brick building behind the water tank is a photograph; his five-story white factory building (largely cut off in the photograph) is scratch built. To give some context to readers about the factory being modeled, I found this advertisement (Photo 2). While Rubbo did not take that path, in a previous HO layout depicting the Long Island Rail Road, I believe I included one advertisement on my fascia for an industry I was modeling.
A Very Brief History
George H. Hoyt created Wheatena (Photo 3) in the late 19th century; it originated on Mulberry Street in New York City circa 1879. Manufacturing was soon moved to Akron, Ohio. The firm producing this breakfast food later went through several owners. In 2001, William Stadtlander bought the brand and its Pennsylvania manufacturing plant. Wheatena seems to have had a large place in popular culture - witness the Popeye Display (Photo 4) Much of its success may be attributed to a sophisticated advertising campaign through the years (Photo 2).
Revised January 14, 2024
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