American Chicle Company

{{Short description|American chewing gum company}} [[File:Beeman's Pepsin Gum DSCF1434.jpg|thumb|right|Beeman's Pepsin Gum from the American Chicle Company]] The '''American Chicle Company''' was a chewing gum trust founded by Thomas Adams, Jr., with Edward E. Beeman and Jonathan Primle.<ref name=stuck/>

==Thomas Adams== thumb|right|Adams Pepsin Tutti Frutti Gum thumbnail|An advertisement of Adams chewing gum '''Thomas Adams''' (May 4, 1818 – February 7, 1905) was a 19th-century American scientist and inventor who is regarded as a founder of the chewing gum industry. Adams conceived the idea while working as a secretary to former Mexican leader Antonio López de Santa Anna, who chewed a natural gum called chicle. Adams first tried to formulate the gum into a rubber which was suitable for making tires. When that didn't work, he turned the chicle into a chewing gum called New York Chewing Gum.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1905/02/08/101408136.pdf |title=Thomas Adams Dead |newspaper=The New York Times |date=February 8, 1905 |access-date=August 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nypl.org/branch/staten/index2.cfm?Trg=1&d1=1391 |title=Staten Island on the Web: Famous Staten Islanders |publisher=New York Public Library |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210133645/http://www.nypl.org/branch/staten/index2.cfm?Trg=1&d1=1391 |archivedate=February 10, 2009}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Schneider |first=Daniel B. |date=1997-01-26 |title=F.Y.I. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/26/nyregion/fyi-313211.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fiegl |first=Amanda |title=A Brief History of Chewing Gum |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/a-brief-history-of-chewing-gum-61020195/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Adams created his first batch of flavorless chicle balls, named Adams New York Gum No. 1, in 1859, and they sold out quickly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tsuruokat |first=Doug |date=February 22, 2016 |title=Gum Inventor Thomas Adams Had An Idea That Stuck |url=https://www.investors.com/news/management/leaders-and-success/thomas-adams-invented-modern-chewing-gum/ |access-date=July 5, 2025 |website=Investor's Business Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Geib |first=Claudia |date=2022-03-23 |title=How an Exiled Mexican President Accidentally Invented Chewing Gum |url=https://www.eater.com/22993171/general-antonio-lopez-de-santa-anna-accidentally-created-chewing-gum-gastropod |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Eater |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1870, Adams created the first flavored gum, black licorice, which he named Black Jack. He sold it from a warehouse on Front Street.<ref name=":0" /> In 1871, Adams patented the first chewing gum making machine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandolfi |first=Keith |title=The History of Chewing Gum, From Chicle to Chiclets |url=https://www.seriouseats.com/chewing-gum-history-how-its-made |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Serious Eats |language=en}}</ref> In 1888, his company opened a factory on Sands Street. His Tutti-Frutti gum was also one of the first to be sold in vending machines.<ref name=":5" /> Adams retired from the business in 1898 and his son Thomas Jr. took over.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-09-07 |title=The Chewing Gum King {{!}} Brooklyn Public Library |url=https://www.bklynlibrary.org/blog/2011/09/07/chewing-gum-king |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=www.bklynlibrary.org |language=en}}</ref>

==Company history== ===American Chicle Company=== thumb|Two women operating gum-wrapping machine at the American Chicle Company Plant in Brooklyn, New York, 1923 The American Chicle Company was incorporated in Trenton, New Jersey, on June 2, 1899.<ref name=stuck>{{cite news |title=Chewing Gum Has Stuck Around For A Long Time |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=DSNB&d_place=DSNB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F35F6DBD54174BD&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |quote=Adams and other chewing gum giants of the 19th century Dr Edward E Beeman and Jonathan Primley founded American Chicle in 1899 ... |newspaper=Deseret News |date=April 24, 1988 |access-date=2010-12-14 }}</ref> Its market capitalization was $9,000,000 with one third issued as preferred stock and 6% with cumulative dividends. The business was a merger of the major chewing gum concerns at the time: Adams Sons & Company in Brooklyn; Beeman Chemical Company; W. J. White & Sons in Cleveland; J. P. Primley in Chicago; Kis-Me Gum Company Louisville, Kentucky; and S. T. Britten & Co. in Toronto.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1934-11-13 |title=JOHN D. ADAMS DIES; CHICLE CO. DIRECTOR; Former Head of Chewing Gum Company Succumbs at 85 in Bayshore Home. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/11/13/archives/john-d-adams-dies-chicle-co-director-former-head-of-chewing-gum.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1899/06/03/archives/the-chewinggum-trust.html |title=The Chewing Gum Trust |work=The New York Times |date=June 3, 1899 |page=3 |access-date=February 26, 2025}}</ref> The corporation operated factories and gum forests in Yucatan.<ref>{{cite news |title=American Chicle |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 16, 1901 |page=3}}</ref> William J. White served as the company's first president and Thomas Adams Jr. Was the first chairman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1923-02-17 |title=CHEWING GUM KING" DEAD.; William J. White Dies in Cleveland From Injuries Suffered In Fall. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1923/02/17/archives/chewing-gum-king-dead-william-j-white-dies-in-cleveland-from.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Mathews |first=Jennifer P. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C-mb5wUcFVEC |title=Chicle: The Chewing Gum of the Americas, from the Ancient Maya to William Wrigley |date=2009-06-15 |publisher=University of Arizona Press |isbn=978-0-8165-2821-9 |pages=43–44; 49; 51; 60 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1914, the company acquired Chiclets from the Fleer Chewing Gum Company of Philadelphia.<ref name=":5" /> It also acquired Dentyne in 1916.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marzlock |first=Ron |date=2013-10-03 |title=Chew on this: LIC's gum factory |url=https://www.qchron.com/qboro/i_have_often_walked/chew-on-this-lic-s-gum-factory/article_04aa2623-966f-5ee2-b5ea-33b8df89e2dc.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Queens Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> In 1919, American Chicle bought land at Degnon Terminal in Long Island City to build a new factory.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1919-03-30 |title=AMERICAN CHICLE COMPANY TO BUILD $2,000,000 FACTORY IN L.I. CITY |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1919/03/30/archives/american-chicle-company-to-build-2000000-factory-in-li-city.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On January 8, 1920, Don Ricardo Moreira, of San Salvador of the Coldwell & Moreira firm, registered American Chicle Co. trademarks in El Salvador.<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 1919 |title=Registro de Marcas de Fábrica |trans-title=Registry of Trademarks |url=http://abaco.uca.edu.sv/acervo/Diario_Oficial/1920/1920-01.pdf |access-date=18 November 2020 |work=Diario Oficial |location=San Salvador, El Salvador |language=es}}</ref> In 1923, the company moved into its new 550,000 square foot, $2 million factory and headquarters.<ref name=":0" /> The building could house over 500 employees and produced five million packages of chewing gum per day.<ref name=":5" /> For decades, the building's Dentyne and Chiclet sign became a landmark for travelers entering Long Island.<ref name=":1" /> By 1935, American Chicle had 15% of the North American gum market, behind the William Wrigley Jr. Company and Beech-Nut Packing Company.<ref name=":5" />

American Chicle utilized Dancer Fitzgerald Sample in 1950 to promote its products via radio, newspapers, and television.<ref>{{cite news |title=Advertising News and Notes |work=The New York Times |date=July 25, 1950 |page=42}}</ref>

===American Chicle Group===

American Chicle was acquired by the pharmaceutical company Warner-Lambert in 1962, with combined sales that year being estimated at around $300,000,000.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=John M. |date=1962-09-29 |title=WARNER-LAMBERT ACQUIRING CHICLE; Two Stockholders' Meetings Agree by Wide Margins on a Consolidation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1962/09/29/archives/warnerlambert-acquiring-chicle-two-stockholders-meetings-agree-by.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> During the 1970s, American Chicle discontinued Black Jack and Clove in order to focus resources to the sugarless Trident and liquid-filled Freshen-Up. Beemans was removed from the US market and remained available only in Canada.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=1986-12-25 |title=NEW REVIVAL: OLD-TIME GUM |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/25/business/new-revival-old-time-gum.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1976, an explosion at the American Chicle Company factory killed six workers and injured more than 40. It remained closed for five weeks following the incident.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jr |first=Robert Mcg Thomas |date=1976-11-22 |title=Queens Factory Blast Injures 45; Burn Hospitals Capacity Exceeded |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/22/archives/queens-factory-blast-injures-45-burn-hospitals-capacity-exceeded.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Prial |first=Frank J. |date=1982-03-09 |title=OFFICE COMPLEX PLANNED ON AMERICAN CHICLE SITE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/09/nyregion/office-complex-planned-on-american-chicle-site.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1976, Bubblicious was released to compete against Bubble Yum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1977-03-21 |title=Bubblicious Due Soon At American Chicle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/21/archives/bubblicious-due-soon-at-american-chicle.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

The company's Long Island City factory was shut down at the end of 1981.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Salmans |first=Sandra |date=1981-04-25 |title=CHICLE CLOSING: 'FAMILY' SORROW |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/25/business/chicle-closing-family-sorrow.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Gum-making operations were moved to facilities in Anaheim, California and Rockford, Illinois.<ref name=":2" /> The Anaheim factory was closed in 1985 during a period of consolidation for the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Jesus |date=1985-02-27 |title=Warner-Lambert to Close Plant; 300 Will Be Laid Off |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-27-fi-8909-story.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> In the spring of 1986, American Chicle introduced Sticklets, a stick gum version of Chiclets. Later that year, the company brought Black Jack, Beemans, and Clove gum back into production.<ref name=":4" /> In 1988, Warner-Lambert acquired Junior Mints, Charleston Chew, Sugar Daddy, among other brands, from RJR Nabisco and integrated them into the American Chicle Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=L. A. Times |date=1988-02-24 |title=Warner-Lambert Co. approved the acquisition of selected... |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-02-24-fi-11729-story.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Adams=== The American Chicle Company was renamed Adams in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Driscoll |first=Sean F. |title=For Loves Park Cadbury plant, being an 'only' is good |url=https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2010/01/31/for-loves-park-cadbury-plant/42706283007/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Rockford Register Star |language=en-US}}</ref> Warner-Lambert was acquired by Pfizer in 2000 for $90.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petersen |first=Melody |date=2000-02-08 |title=Pfizer Gets Its Deal to Buy Warner-Lambert for $90.2 Billion |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/08/business/pfizer-gets-its-deal-to-buy-warner-lambert-for-90.2-billion.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> After a two-year ban on selling the company's gum assets, Cadbury Schweppes purchased Adams in 2002 for $4.9 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Services |first=Tribune News |date=2002-12-18 |title=Pfizer sells big chewing gum unit |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2002/12/18/pfizer-sells-big-chewing-gum-unit/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff |date=2002-12-17 |title=Cadbury secure deal to buy Adams |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2002/dec/17/cadburyschweppesbusiness |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-12-17 |title=Cadbury becomes world leader with Adams acquisition |url=https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2002/12/17/Cadbury-becomes-world-leader-with-Adams-acquisition/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=ConfectioneryNews.com |language=en}}</ref> Kraft Foods purchased Cadbury in 2010 for $19.6 billion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-01-20 |title=Kraft snares Cadbury for $19.6 billion |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/stocks/kraft-snares-cadbury-for-196-billion-idUSTRE60H1N0/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref> When Kraft split into two companies in 2012, the Adams gum unit remained under Mondelez International.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nieburg |first=Oliver |date=2013-06-10 |title=Mondelez overhauls gum production as two sites close |url=https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2013/06/11/Mondelez-closes-Morocco-and-Lebanon-gum-factories/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=ConfectioneryNews.com |language=en}}</ref> Chiclets chewing gum was discontinued in 2016, but returned to production 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Witsil |date=February 13, 2021 |title=Michigan-based teaberry gum maker in unusual trademark dispute over vintage flavor |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2021/02/13/michigan-gerrits-teaberry-gum-clarks-trademark/6735934002/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Detroit Free Press}}</ref>

By 2018, Mondelez sold off the Black Jack, Beemans, and Clove brands.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson-Richards |first=Alyse |date=August 29, 2018 |title=Gerrit J. Verburg acquires classic gum brands from Mondelez International |url=https://www.snackandbakery.com/articles/102157-gerrit-j-verburg-acquires-classic-gum-brands-from-mondelez-international |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery |language=en}}</ref> It then sold the remainder of its United States, Canada, and European gum assets to Perfetti Van Melle in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sosland |first=Josh |date=October 3, 2023 |title=Mondelez gum business bought by Perfetti Van Melle |url=https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/24762-mondelez-gum-business-bought-by-perfetti-van-melle |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Food Business News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Mondelēz International Completes Sale Of Developed Market Gum Business to Perfetti Van Melle |url=https://ir.mondelezinternational.com/news-releases/news-release-details/mondelez-international-completes-sale-developed-market-gum |access-date=July 5, 2025 |website=Mondelez International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Durbin |first=Dee-Ann |date=March 7, 2024 |title=Big candy befuddled by Gen Z's love for sour gummies, scrambles for plan to get Americans chewing gum again |url=https://fortune.com/2024/03/07/chewing-gum-sales-decline-gen-z-likes-sour-gummy-mondelez-wrigley/ |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=Fortune |language=en}}</ref>

==Products== *Adams Sour<ref>{{Cite news |date=1976-11-25 |title=Alleged Warning of Danger Before Chicle Plant Blast Is Being Checked |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/11/25/archives/alleged-warning-of-danger-before-chicle-plant-blast-is-being.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> *Beemans *Black Jack *Bubblicious *Certs<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dougherty |first=Philip H. |date=1976-05-24 |title=Advertising |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/24/archives/advertising-many-a-bang-in-mini-mint-war.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> *Chewels<ref name=":4" /> *Chiclets *Clove *Clorets *Dentyne *Freshen-Up<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tones |first=William Robbins |date=1979-04-17 |title=Wrigley Fights Rivals Harder |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/04/17/archives/wrigley-fights-rivals-harder-sales-of-425-million-a-year-wrigley.html |access-date=2025-07-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> *Trident

==See also== *American Chicle Company Building, New Orleans *Charles Ranlett Flint

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{HAER |survey=NY-80 |id=ny1210 |title=American Chicle Company Factory, Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens County, NY |photos=1}} — ''(not yet digitized)'''

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Category:Chewing gum Category:Confectionery companies of the United States Category:Companies based in Trenton, New Jersey Category:American companies established in 1899 Category:Food and drink companies established in 1899 Category:1899 establishments in New Jersey Category:Cadbury Adams brands Category:Perfetti Van Melle brands Category:History of Queens, New York Category:Historic American Engineering Record in New York (state) Category:1962 mergers and acquisitions