Running Collection of Mountain Dew History

Everybody has a reason why they collect, or why they started collecting. Well, this is mine or what it has turned into anyways. I know I am not the only one who has been hypnotized by the likes of hillbilly lore. It drags you in with its mystical tales of yore, then smacks ya in the head and heart with the quickness of white lightning! I have been hooked ever since I came across a hillbilly dew in an old farm/tobacco barn.

With the bottle and brand comes even more legendary stories. Who was the first to bottle dew? who made the formula? who made the new-new formula? what was the city to first have dew? If you are in the know then you have probably heard about all these mysteries. I must give Mr. Morbious Fod mucho respecto for his non-biased insight into the history of Dew and other bottle related stories.

I am going to tell the "accepted" stories for these bottles pictured. While they may may be valuable, or non-valuable bottles, their history is certainly worth hearing about. Let's go from left to right:

#1) Barney and Ally- This particular bottle was made in 1955, or at least that's what it says on the bottom. The design was copyrighted in 1948 and was the first Mountain Dew bottle PRODUCED, but not yet bottled and sold. These were made from 51-58, and also had a clear version which is said to have carried flavored drinks like Orange, Grape, Strawberry, etc. The green version (pictured) housed a lithiated lemon drink similar to 7up. A lot of people don't realize that Mountain Dew was not always the citrus soda we have today.This has been, and continues to be my favorite bottle in my whole collection.

#2) Hartman Beverages- This resembles a Mil-Kay bottle made at the same time. Hartman Beverages is the company owned and operated by Barney and Ally Hartman, the same Barney and Ally on bottle #1. The idea and conception of Mountain Dew was theirs. They initially made it as a mixer for their whiskey and jokingly referred to it as Mountain Dew. Keep in mind however that this was a 7up flavored drink. Typically everyone can agree on Barney and Ally being creators of the hillbilly dew iconography and design. I believe this bottle to be from 1969, unless I am dating it wrong.

#3) Charlie and Jim- This was the second bottle Tri-City made to carry Mountain Dew. Charlie, Jim, and Bill bottle was the first hillbilly Mountain Dew to be sold to the public. A bottle that I am in extreme need for sure! Charlie Gordon owned Tri-City Beverage and Jim Archer was the VP and General Manager. The way that Charlie Gordon obtained the right to bottle Mountain Dew from Barney and Alley Hartman is debated. Some say it was purchased for $1, some say it was free, but they bottled it for sure anyhow. This bottle was produced from 55-56, The Charlie, Jim, and Bill was produced in 54.

#4) TIP Corporation Bottle- There are a couple different TIP bottles. This was the TIP bottle used in the 40's and had Grape flavor. TIP made the concentrate's for Tri-City, Hartman, and the various Minges bottlers. They are a part of the controversy because Bill Jones ( I believe) claims to have made the new Dew flavor. Bill Bridgforth and Hoyt Minges also have similar claims.

#5) Charlie and Bill (10 oz)- This bottle is well known because it is the only bottle with a white dot above the Hillbilly's head on the neck. Charlie Gordon and Bill Bridgforth are the people on this bottle which was first made in 57. The other Charlie and Bill was the 24oz rarity which is said to have been ordered destroyed everytime a delivery driver came into contact with one. It is on my dream list along with the Party Jug !!!! (pics of these to come later, but unfortunately they are not mine).

#6) Hoyt, Jr., Jeff, Goodtime Charlie- This is the only bottle I have with a Hoyt Minges connection. The Minges had bottlers throughout N. Carolina. Hoyt Jr. was one of Hoyt Senior's 4 children along with Jeff. Goodtime Charlie was Charlie Parrot, a playmate of the other 2 as children. The Minges were very involved with the early history of Mountain Dew. One of the reasons is that their distribution was so massive! They had plants in Greenville, Fayetteville, Lumberton, Tuscaloosa Alabama, Rocky Mount, and Kinston, NC. They were also responsible for the slogan "Mountain Dew is Good!" which is found on the back of some of their bottles. If you find DIXIE refreshments on any of your Dew's it is a Minges product!

Thanks for listening everyone! I hope you learned something. I tried to list things that weren't common to find on the net.

Ant ~

Cool stuff! I'm doin' the Dew jig!

SPBOB

HEY ANTHONY VERY NICE! THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE

Thanks for the lesson, you deserve that cake!!!

ONE MORE

Just a little failmly history..

Here are a few pics

faimly history

My Dad JIMMY DAVIDSON the youngest supervisor to ever work for the Hartman group --is the last on the right.