ZENO Chewing Gum 1c Oak Cabinet Dispenser, Circa 1890 #3

ZENO penny operated exotic flavor gum dispenser Chicago, Illinois circa 1890.

Blood Orange, Licorice, Vanilla Cream, Pineapple, Forbidden Fruit, Pepsin and Lemonade flavors

Housed in an oak wooden cabinet, the little gum machine stands about 16.5 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide and 9 inches in depth. 

Original wind up coin mechanism which works perfectly. Includes a selection of Zeno chewing gum

Features embossed lettering on the sides of the oak cabinet

The sign on the front says, “Drop one cent in the slot and get Zeno Chewing Gum.” The customer inserted a penny into a slot, which would drop down inside into a chute, activating the interior clockwork motor that would then gently push out the stick of gum and deposit it on a little metal shelf.

In 1892, Wrigley contacted the Zeno Manufacturing Company of Chicago and contracted them to manufacture gum for him. The first gums produced by Zeno for Wrigley were called Lotta, Vassar, and Sweet Sixteen Orange.

In 1910, Wrigley and Zeno formally combined their businesses, creating the William Wrigley Jr. Company. With the merger of the two companies, the Zeno brand was discontinued and now is only a footnote in gum history.

When the Zeno Manufacturing Company began gum production, the vending machine was included free with the purchase of 1,200 sticks of gum.

Business since 1979