The Winning of the Illinois County of Virginia (1778) from the British in the American Revolution (1775-1783).

The Illinois County was already occupied by settlers, most of whom spoke Algonquian and Siouan languages before the French and English arrived. (Map by Jacques Nicolas Bellin, 1755)

After winning the French and Indian War in 1763, the British controlled forts at Detroit and in what is now Indiana and Illinois.

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The Illinois County of Virginia (1673-1778) was a political and geographic region, part of the British Province of Quebec, claimed during the American Revolutionary War on July 4, 1778, by George Rogers Clark of the Virginia Militia as a result of the Illinois Campaign. The Virginia-based local government lasted only six years. Illinois County was extinguished when Virginia ceded its claims to the Northwest Territory to the United States in 1784. 

After the American Revolution started, those British bases became a threat to Virginians rather than a source of protection. The British repeated the tactics used by the French in the French and Indian War. Delivery of guns and ammunition to Native Americans enabled them to attack backcountry farms and settlements, with the greatest impact on Kentucky County Virginians. The General Assembly had created Kentucky County in 1776 to counter efforts by Richard Henderson and the Transylvania Company to split that territory off from Virginia.

The British built a new fort on the Wabash River at Vincennes in 1777, enhancing the supply route. The Virginian response to the threat to western settlement during the American Revolution matched the British response in the French and Indian War - capture the supply bases to cut off supplies to the Native Americans, as Fort Duquesne was captured in 1758.

George Rogers Clark, the ranking militia officer in Kentucky County, traveled back to Williamsburg. He convinced Gov. Patrick Henry and other key officials that a military response was necessary. The cost concerned the officials in Williamsburg, but Clark got two sets of orders from Governor Henry.

His public orders authorized him to defend Kentucky, but the secret orders allowed him to launch an attack west into British-held territory. Clark desired to seize Detroit but started by capturing easier targets with no British forces to defend them.

Governor Patrick Henry provided secret orders in 1778 for George Rogers Clark to attack Kaskaskia and Vincennes. (January 2, 1778)

Clark gathered about 175 men to form the Illinois Regiment, recruiting from Carolina to Fort Pitt. In a private letter signed by Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and George Wythe, he was assured that his recruits would be granted a bounty of 300 acres of land in addition to standard pay.

He managed to move by boat downstream from Louisville on the Ohio River by marching cross-country to Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River. The few British officials at Kaskaskia were surprised and offered no resistance. The Roman Catholic vicar there championed the American cause, and the French residents welcomed Clark's force. The residents at Cahokia and Vincennes were equally supportive, and in July 1778, the British lost control of the territory south of Detroit.

George Rogers Clark obtained supplies in Virginia, then traveled to Kentucky and seized control of the future Northwest Territory in 1778-1779.

In December, Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton brought a handful of regular British troops from the 8th Regiment of Foot, Detroit militia, and Native Americans from Detroit and quickly recaptured Vincennes. He chose to upgrade Fort Sackville there rather than attack Clark at Kaskaskia. Because getting supplies to Vincennes was so tricky, Hamilton sent most of his men back to Detroit.

Clark made a middle-of-winter march to recapture Vincennes before Hamilton could strengthen defenses there. Clark led an expedition of nearly 175 men, including French allies recruited at Kaskaskia, 180 miles east through the flooded wilderness, through swamps with water at times as high as their shoulders.

In February 1779, the Virginians marched from Kaskaskia to Vincennes through prairie and forests flooded by seasonal high waters.

The winter march from Kaskaskia to Vincennes required 17 days to cover over 150 miles.

Clark wrote later in his memoirs:

In the spring, we knew that Governor Hamilton would be at the head of such a force that nothing in this quarter could withstand his arms, that Kentucky must immediately fall... We saw but one alternative, which was to attack the enemy in their quarters... the enemy could not suppose that we should be so mad as to attempt to march eighty leagues through a drowned country in the depths of winter, that they would be off their guard and probably would not think it worthwhile to keep out spies that... we might surprise them.

Kentucky County was exposed to raids by Native Americans, which the British supplied from Detroit and other forts.

Hamilton was caught by surprise and lacked adequate manpower to defend the fort. After a brief resistance, he surrendered.

George Rogers Clark recaptured Fort Sackville at Vincennes and imprisoned Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton in 1779.

Clark had Hamilton and the British officers taken 1,200 miles east to Williamsburg. He was imprisoned as a common criminal rather than treated as an officer captured in War. Hamilton was treated harshly because Governor Thomas Jefferson and top Virginia officials thought he was responsible for Native American raids in the backcountry where settlers were scalped. Because the British provided resources for the raiders, Hamilton was called the "Hair Buyer."

Clark lacked the resources to attack Detroit, and the British occupied the fort until 1796.

George Rogers Clark and the Illinois Regiment recaptured Vincennes in 1779.

The Virginia General Assembly asserted its claim to the captured territory by creating the Illinois Country in 1778.

In 1781, it authorized the officers in the Illinois Regiment to identify a 150,000-acre parcel north of the Ohio River where land grants would be awarded for service in that regiment. General Clark was given over 8,000 acres, officers received over 2,000 acres each, and privates were granted just 108 acres each. Clark's Grant of 150,000 acres, including 1,000 acres designated for creating the town of Clarksville, ended up within the state of Indiana.

The General Assembly created Illinois Country on December 9, 1778, after George Rogers Clark captured Vincennes and brought Lieutenant Governor Henry Hamilton to Williamsburg as a captive.

During the 1783 peace negotiations that ended the American Revolution, American control of the territory was acknowledged. The Northwest Territory was ceded to the United States of America in the Treaty of Paris. The western boundary was drawn from Lake of the Woods, then by a line to be drawn along the Middle of the Mississippi River until it shall intersect the Northernmost Part of the thirty-first Degree of North Latitude.

The British refused to evacuate forts, citing that the Americans were violating the treaty by refusing to allow British lenders to collect on debts owed by Americans. British forces left the fort at Detroit only in 1796, after the British and their Indian allies were defeated in the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, many tribal leaders signed the Treaty of Greeneville in 1795, and the US Senate ratified the Jay Treaty in 1796.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

Illinois' Moniker: The Sucker State.

You probably recognize Illinois’ state nickname as "The Prairie State," which dates back to the 1840s. On the other hand, "Land of Lincoln" was made the official state slogan of Illinois in 1955. In fact, Illinois' exclusive use of the Land of Lincoln insignia was later authorized by a special U.S. copyright. 

The name and image of Illinois' most famous adopted son have become synonymous with the state and are on Illinois license plates and 'Welcome to Illinois' highway signs.

Most people don't realize that Illinois had a less noble sobriquet for much of the 19th century, "The Sucker State." And although there is no doubt that this nickname was associated with Illinois, the origin of the term is subject to debate. There are at least three interpretations.

One explanation involves a practice that was fairly common among travelers and inhabitants of the prairie. When water was needed, long, hollow reeds were thrust down into crawfish holes, and the water was literally sucked up, as through a straw. Such watering holes were called "suckers" in the local vernacular.

Another explanation derives from the fact that the central and southern portions of Illinois were originally settled by pioneers from Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, all tobacco-growing states. The sprouts around the main stem of a tobacco plant are commonly referred to as "suckers." These sprouts are cut off and discarded before they sap the vital circulating fluid of the plant, taking the nutrients away from tobacco plants 20 to 30 useable leaves. Most settlers of the area were poor and, in fact, had moved to Illinois in hopes of a better life. Society at that time, as throughout most of our nation's history, tended to look down on poor migrants as a burden. It was expected that these particular settlers would fail in their new venture and perish, like the tobacco sprouts that were cast off as undesirable. They were derisively called "suckers," and the term came to refer to the entire region of Southern Illinois, which at the time held most of the state's population.

Probably the most popular explanation of how Illinois came to be known as the Sucker State involves the state's first lead mine, which was opened in 1824 near Galena. As word of the mine spread, thousands of men descended on Galena in search of work. Most came from Missouri and southern Illinois, traveling north on steamboats up the Mississippi River to Galena in the spring, where they would work until autumn and then return home. These travels corresponded to the migration pattern of a fish called a “sucker,” and the name was attributed to these workers by Missourians as a witticism. With six to seven thousand men coming to the Galena mines each year by 1827, the mass influx and exodus generated considerable strains and rivalries. In retaliation for the derisive term “suckers,” Illinoisans started calling Missourians “pukes,” a reference to the way in which Missouri had vomited forth to Galena the worst of her residents.

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The white sucker is a species of freshwater cypriniform fish inhabiting the upper Midwest and Northeast in North America. It's also found as far south as Georgia and as far west as New Mexico. The fish is commonly known as a "sucker" due to its fleshy, papillose lips that suck up organic matter and aufwuchs (plants and animals adhering to parts of rooted aquatic plants) from the bottom of rivers and streams. Other common names for the white sucker include bay fish, brook sucker, common sucker, and mullet. 

The White Sucker

Over Illinois’ 205-year history, the state’s residents have been called other names. The Land of Lincoln, as well as The Prairie State, are considerable improvements.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

FACT OR FICTION: The Lincoln's Early Poverty A Myth, Says Authority In 1974 Kiwanis Club Speech.

Recent research into the early life of Abraham Lincoln tends to show that much of the legend of the Great Emancipator's extreme poverty and illiteracy in childhood is a myth, started at the time Lincoln was running for president, M. L. Houser, an authority on Lincolniana, said.

Speaking at the Kiwanis club luncheon at the Jefferson Hotel, Mr. Houser said it has been relatively well established now that Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, owned 500 acres of good Kentucky farmland before the family moved to Illinois.

As a small boy in Indiana, Mr. Houser said, Lincoln's family lived in a cultural community with many of their neighbors being college graduates who gave their time and effort to the early education of young Abraham.

SAYS HE WAS WELL EDUCATED

"When Lincoln came to Illinois as a youth of 21," Mr. Houser said, "it is virtually certain that he had better than the average academic education."

Mr. Houser said the new slant on Lincoln's early background in no manner detracts from the fact that the future president was a bright industrious lad who never overlooked an opportunity to soak up the knowledge placed at his disposal.

Many of the early Indiana neighbors of the Lincoln family were college graduates who had migrated from the East. In addition, there were several nearby institutions of higher learning in Louisville and Parkstown, Kentucky.

RECORDS BACK STORY

"Old tax records have been found in Kentucky," he said, "showing that Lincoln's father, Thomas, was the sixteenth highest taxpayer on a list of 98 in his community."

In his early days as an Illinois lawyer, Mr. Houser said, there is no record of Lincoln ever mentioning his humble background.

In 1854, he said, Lincoln made a presidential campaign speech in Chicago and the Chicago Journal, which was supporting him, ran an accompanying "background' story playing up their favorite candidate as a product of abject poverty who had educated himself by reading heavy tomes (a large, heavy, scholarly book) by the flickering light of log fire.

VOTE─GETTING STORY

"The story apparently made a big hit with' the rough and ready pioneers of the middle west," said Mr. Houser, "and as such, it made thousands of votes for Mr. Lincoln."

From that point on, said Mr. Houser, Lincoln played heavily on the topic of his humble and disadvantageous childhood. 

With all of Lincoln's greatness, Mr. Houser said, he was a masterful politician who always kept his fingers on the public pulse.

Mr. Houser, holder of an honorary doctor's degree from a Tennessee college for his Lincoln research work, resides on the outskirts of Peoria and has devoted most of the last 15 years to getting the facts on the background of the Civil War president.

Edited by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Peoria [A Newspaper], Illinois, 1974.

ILLINOIS TOWNS NAMED FOR INDIAN CHIEFS

The original inhabitants of the area that had become the State of Illinois in 1818 included the Chickasaw tribe, the Dakota Sioux tribe, the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk, and the Shawnee tribe. 

The indigenous tribes of the Chicago area were the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa (Ottawa) Nations, as well as the Miami, Winnebago (Ho-Chunk), Menominee, Sauk (Sac), Meskwaki (Fox), Kickapoo tribes, and the Illinois Confederacy. 

The Illinois, aka Illiniwek and Illini [the Illinois is pronounced as plural: Illinois'], was a Confederacy of Indian tribes consisting of the Kaskaskia, Cahokia, Peoria, Tamarais (aka Tamaroa, Tamarois), Moingwena, Mitchagamie (aka Michigamea), Chepoussa, Chinkoa, Coiracoentanon, Espeminkia, Maroa, and Tapouara tribes that were in the Algonquin Indian family. The Illinois called themselves "Ireniouaki" (the French word was Ilinwe).

MIDWESTERN INDIAN CHIEFS, 1865.

 

Algonquin, Illinois – Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) - Named after the Algonquin people, a large linguistic group encompassing numerous tribes.

Annawan, Illinois – Derived from the Kickapoo word "Aniwa," meaning "thunder." Named for Chief Annawan.

Aptakisic, Illinois – Potawatomi

Ashkum, Illinois – Named for Chief Ashkum of the Potawatomi tribe.

Aptotakin, Illinois – Named for Chief Optagushick of the Potawatomi tribe.

Big Foot, Illinois – Potawatomi

Cahokia, Illinois – Named after the Cahokia Mounds, a major pre-Columbian Mississippian culture city. While not directly named after a chief, it honors the community's historical leaders.

Chebanse, Illinois – This comes from the Potawatomi word "Zhishibéns," which means "the little duck." Possibly named after Chief Chebanse of the Potawatomi tribe.

Channahon, Illinois – Named for Chief Channahon, a Potawatomi leader. Possibly name for Chief Shabbona.

Chenoa Township, Illinois – From the Ojibwe word "Shenowa," meaning "big." Potentially named after Chief Chenoa of the Peoria tribe.

Du Quoin, Illinois – Kaskaskia

Half Day, Illinois – Potawatomi

Kankakee, Illinois – This comes from the Potawatomi word "Kankakee," which means "cornfield."

Kaskaskia, Illinois – Named after the Kaskaskia tribe, part of the historic Illiniwek confederacy.

Kewanee, Illinois – Named after Chief Kewanee, a Peoria leader.

Lake Ka-ho, Illinois – "Ka-Ho" translates to "big water" in Potawatomi, referencing a nearby lake and possibly honoring tribal leaders associated with the area.

LaSalle Township, Illinois – Named for René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, who had strong ties with Native American tribes.

Loami, Illinois – Possibly from the Miami word "loam," meaning "earth."

Mackinaw, Illinois – Derived from the Ojibwe word "mikinaak," meaning "turtle."

Mahomet, Illinois – Named after the Prophet Muhammad, likely due to a local legend about a Muslim traveler.

Makanda, Illinois – Possibly named after Chief Makandocle of the Kaskaskia tribe, though historical records lack clarity.

Marseilles Township, Illinois – Named for Chief Marseilles, a Potawatomi leader in the 1810s.

Mascoutah, Illinois – Derived from the Mascouten tribe, an Algonquian people.

Matteson, Illinois ─ Named after Chief Matteson, a Potawatomi leader.

Mendota, Illinois – From the Dakota word "Mendota," meaning "junction of two trails."

Menominee, Illinois – Named after the Menominee people, an Algonquian tribe. Historically present in Wisconsin but with cultural ties to Illinois.

Metamora, Illinois – Potawatomi

Mettawa, Illinois – Potawatomi

Minooka, Illinois – Named for Chief Minooka, a Potawatomi leader.

Momence, Illinois ─ Named after Chief Momence, a Potawatomi leader.

Monee Township, Illinois – Possibly named after Chief Monee of the Potawatomi tribe, though this connection lacks definitive proof.

Moosomin Township, Illinois – Possibly derived from the Ojibwe word "moozomin," meaning "moose," but could also be a reference to a chief.

Moweaqua, Illinois – Possibly from the Kickapoo word "Moweaqua," meaning "place of the turtle."

Neponset, Illinois – Possibly named for Chief Neponset, a Massachusett leader.

Niantic, Illinois – Named for the Niantic tribe and their chief, Ninigret. Possibly from the Narragansett word "Niantic," meaning "island."

Niota, Illinois – The name "Niota" was based on the name of a fictional character in a dime novel[1], a Native American chief named "Nee-o-tah." (Algonquian Tribe?)

Oconee, Illinois –  Possibly from the Muscogee word "Oconee," meaning "river."

Okawville, Illinois ─ Potentially named after Chief Okaw of the Kaskaskia tribe. The Kaskaskia word "okahwa" means "big water."

Onarga, Illinois – Comes from the Potawatomi word "Onagan," meaning "white oak."

Oneco, Illinois – Potawatomi

Optakisic, Illinois ─ Named after Chief Optagushick of the Potawatomi tribe.

Oquawka, Illinois – Named for Chief Oquawka, a Sauk leader.

Orland Park, Illinois ─ Potentially derived from Chief Orland, a Potawatomi leader.

Oswego, Illinois ─ Named after Chief Oswego, Possibly a Fox or Sauk leader.

Owaneco, Illinois – Possibly from the Oto word "owanec," meaning "big river."

Pana, Illinois ─ Possibly named after Pana, a chief from the Cahokia tribe. Possibly named after Pana, a Chief from the Cahokia tribe.

Patna, Illinois ─ Kickapoo

Paw Paw Township, Illinois – Believed to be derived from the Miami word "Pawapaw," meaning "fruit of the pawpaw tree." While not referencing a chief, it honors the indigenous culture and environment. Possibly from the Pawnee word "pápa," meaning "head."

Pocahontas, Illinois – Originally known as Hickory Grove and then Amity. In 1850, the name was changed to Pocohontas (with an "o"). 1855, the current spelling with an "a" came into place. Pocahontas was incorporated as a village in 1847. The town was named after Pocahontas Coal.

Pecatonica, Illinois – Derived from the Winnebago word "pekatoniká," meaning "river of the painted feather."

Pekin, Illinois – Named after Chief Pekin, a Peoria leader who signed treaties in the 1810s.

Peoria, Illinois ─ Named after the Peoria tribe and their principal village.

Pesotum, Illinois ─ The village was named after Pesotum, a Kickapoo warrior in the Battle of Fort Dearborn.

Pontiac, Illinois – Named after Chief Pontiac, an Odawa (Ottawa) leader during the French and Indian War.

Sauk Village, Illinois – Named after the Sauk people, an Algonquian tribe.

Saukenuk, Illinois ─ Named for the Sauk tribes, though not after specific chiefs. (Black Hawk was born in 1767 in Saukenuk, Illinois).

Saunemin, Illinois – Kickapoo

Seneca, Illinois – Named after the Seneca people, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, it acknowledges their influence and historical connections to the region.

Shabbona Grove, Illinois – Named after Chief Shabbona, a Potawatomi Chief, honoring his role in local history.

Shawneetown, Illinois – Named for the Shawnee people, who lived in the area before being forced to move west. Named after the Shawnee people, an Algonquian tribe.

Shobonier, Illinois – Potawatomi

Tampico, Illinois – Named for Chief Tampico, a Potawatomi or Kaskaskia tribe leader.

Tolono, Illinois – Possibly from the Illiniwek word "Tolowane," meaning "black walnut."

Tonica, Illinois – Possibly from the French word "tonique," meaning "bracing" or "refreshing," influenced by Indigenous names.

Wapella, Illinois – Meskwaki (Fox)

Waukegan, Illinois – Named for Chief Waukegan, a Potawatomi leader.

Wauponsee, Illinois – Potawatomi

Wauponsee is an unincorporated community in Vienna Township, Grundy County, in North East Illinois. Wauponsee is located on Verona Road, 7 miles south-southwest of Morris. Google Mapped: 41°16′28″N 88°29′40″W

The Potawatomi were a major tribe in the Great Lakes region, and they had a significant presence in Wauponsee Township in the early 19th century. The township was named after Potawatomi Chief Waubonsie, whose tribe were residents. Wauponsee Grove, today a state park, was named for Chief Waubonsie.

Wyanet, Illinois – Derived from the Wyandot tribe, an Iroquoian people.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

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[1] DIME NOVEL - Any cheaply produced popular fiction published in the United States between 1860 and 1930 might be called a dime novel, providing it was published on paper covers (paperback) and issued in a series (chapter books).

EXAMPLE

"Malaeska, the Indian Wife of the white hunter" is a groundbreaking novel, considered the first true dime novel. It sparked controversy, having a female author, a sympathetic portrayal of an Indian woman, and a strong, independent heroine. Malaeska tackled themes of race, gender, and frontier life. It was the first published title in Beadle's Dime Novels series and became a runaway bestseller.

The entire series in one (pdf) publication: 

Malaeska is the Indian wife of the white hunter, by Ann S. Stephens. pub:1860.

Gipps Brewing Company, Peoria, Illinois. (1881-1954)

Peoria has long since attained a leadership position in brewing and distilling interests, and its output along those lines exceeds any other city of equal size in the country. At the head of its enterprise are men of marked business ability, keen discernment and unfaltering energy — men who recognize the possibilities of trade and utilize each opportunity for its full worth. 

George H. Gipps is a representative of this class, and his position in the business circles of the city is that of general agent for the Terre Haute Brewing Company. He has been identified with the brewing trade since he completed his education. He was born near Morton, Tazewell county, Illinois, on August 3, 1863, on the farm belonging to his father, John Mathuen Gipps. John came from England to the New World in 1845 and traveled to the country's interior, settling upon a tract of land near Morton, Illinois. He successfully engaged in farming there for several years, watching his expenditures carefully. When he had sufficient capital, he embarked on the brewing business in Peoria, engaging in that line of trade in about 1864.

Toth Buffet Serves Gripps Beer.

George was associated with Mr. Howe in the establishment and management of a little ale brewery, which was afterward moved to the foot of Bridge street, where the large plant of the Gipps Brewing Company stood. Gradually he developed a business of extensive proportions. As his trade increased, he enlarged his facilities and, in time, drew his patronage from a vast territory. He was president of the Gipps Brewing Company at the time of his death, November 27, 1881, at sixty-three. His wife, Ellen Dawson, was also a native of England, and they were married in New York City in 1852. They had two children, the elder being Mrs. Bessie Smith, the wife of C.B. Smith of Peoria. The mother passed away in this city in 1898.

George H. Gipps was but six years of age when the family left the farm and took up residency in Peoria so that his education was acquired in the schools of this city, which he attended until he left high school to become an active factor in business life. 

George was offered the opportunity to enter the establishment of the Gipps Brewing Company, and he did so, thoroughly acquainting himself with every part of the trade. He remained there until 1885 when he became associated with the Union Brewing Company, of which he was secretary for 15 years. He then withdrew from that connection to accept the agency and position of manager with the Terre Haute Brewing Company in 1900. He has been connected with this corporation as its general agent, having supervised extending its trade relations. The position is an enormous responsibility and involves the most critical considerations and duties, for which Mr. Gipps's long experience has prepared him well.

In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Gipps and Miss Jennie V. Tripp, a daughter of R.H. Tripp. They had two children, Charles M. and Della T. 

Mr. Gipps has advanced to a high position as a Mason. He had served as high priest of Peoria Chapter for three years, as a Knight Templar Mason and was a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He had various other social relations, including a member of the South Side Turners, the Concordia Singing Society and the Creve Coeur Club. His social qualities have made him famous, while his business ability has gained prominence.

The Garden Theatre opened in 1913 at 2139 SW Adams St., Peoria, and closed in 1942.

From 1837 until the 1980s, Peoria played a significant role in beer production.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Hamburger University, from the World Renowned, McDonald's Corporation, Chicago, Illinois.

The McDonald's chain was famously born when an ambitious milkshake mixer salesman named Ray Kroc partnered with and eventually bought out Maurice and Richard McDonald, two brothers with a small but popular chain of hamburger restaurants. Kroc opened his first new location in Des Plaines, Illinois 1955, naming it McDonald's.

The McDonald's № 1 Store Museum (1955-2017) in Des Plaines, Illinois, was a replica of the first McDonald's restaurant in Des Plaines, opened by Ray Kroc in April 1955. The company usually refers to this as The Original McDonald's, although it is not the first McDonald's restaurant but the ninth; the first was opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California, in 1940, while the oldest McDonald's still in operation is the third one built, in Downey, California, which opened in 1953. However, the Des Plaines restaurant marked the beginning of future CEO Kroc's involvement with the firm. It opened under the aegis of his franchising company McDonald's Systems, Inc., which became McDonald's Corporation after Kroc purchased the McDonald brothers' stake.

The third McDonald's restaurant opened on August 18, 1953, at 10207 Lakewood Boulevard, Downey, California. It was also the second restaurant franchised by Richard and Maurice McDonald before the involvement of Ray Kroc in the company. The original building is a museum, while the red roof in the background is a modern McDonald's serving food and kid's toys.

Hamburger University started in 1961 with a class of 15 people and was held in the basement of a McDonald's restaurant in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Fred L. Turner, a grill cook, developed and operated the educational program. Soon, Turner's McDonlad's corporate education and training programs became the pioneering concept for other businesses. 

Fred Turner became McDonald's CEO in 1973 and replaced Kroc as Chairman in 1977, later named Senior Chairman upon Kroc's death. Under Turner, McDonald's expanded its operations to 118 countries, with over 31,000 outlets and over a billion hamburgers sold. Fred retired in 2004, serving as Honorary Chairman until he died in 2013.

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Those who attended Hamburger University in its earliest days received hands-on instruction from Fred Turner and Ray Kroc.

Hamburger University was designed exclusively to instruct personnel employed by McDonald's Corporation or by McDonald's Independent Franchisees in the various aspects of the business and operations of McDonald's.

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The first "Corporate College" was created by General Electric (GE) as a place for Nationwide management employees to learn in conjunction with the company's business plans and development goals. GE Crotonville, Ossining, New York, started in the mid-1950s. Today, it's called the GE Management Development Institute.

This makes Hamburger University one of the first corporate education programs of its kind. McDonald's retains more rising stars by developing talent and leadership at Hamburger University.

McDonald's Global Headquarters was located on an 80-acre campus in Oak Brook, Illinois, from its founding until 2018, when the McDonald's headquarters moved to Chicago's West Loop into a new complex built on the former site of Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Studios.

Managers in McDonald's restaurants graduated from Hamburger University, eventually moving to a 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility on the McDonald's Home Office Campus in Oak Brook, Illinois.

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2022 - TOP 5 CORPORATE UNIVERSITIES

       1) Google; Googleplex

       2) McDonald's Hamburger University

       3) Apple University

       4) Disney University

       5) Intel Network Builders University

Students at McDonald's Hamburger University, for example, at the restaurant ownership level, learn to successfully run a restaurant and report and analyze the books. Further education is necessary to become an executive to support the franchises and help them develop business skills and focus on leadership skills. With a degree, the graduate is confident and ready to support McDonald's employees, restaurant owners, and sales growth.

Hamburger University is a fundamental degree-granting institution, so much so that credits earned can be applied toward an associate's or bachelor's degree at other colleges and universities.

McDonald's Home Office Campus and Hamburger University moved to 1045 West Randolph Street, Chicago, and opened in its new home in June 2018. 

1045 West Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois.

McDonald's office space, including Hamburger University, occupies 490,000 square feet of the building.

They have grown from the old main campus in Oak Brook, Illinois, to the addition of seven satellite campuses worldwide at one time: Tokyo, London, Sydney, Munich, São Paulo, Shanghai, and Moscow. A faculty of 30 resident professors teach and communicate in 22 languages with the help of translators and technology. 

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McDonald's has reopened its doors under a new name in Russia after the fast food giant pulled out of the country over its invasion of Ukraine. Fifteen McDonald's restaurants in and around Moscow reopened with their new name, "Vkusno & Tochka," which translates as "Tasty and that's it." Businessman Alexander Govor, who already owns 25 restaurants in Siberia, agreed to buy all 847 Russian McDonald's outlets after the chain boycotted the country in early March. He vowed to keep all their 62,000 employees on equivalent terms for at least two years.

To date, Hamburger University has produced around 330,000 degree holders worldwide.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

Burma-Shave history is presented with over 200 sayings found along Illinois and surrounding states' highways.

Burma-Shave was a brand of brushless shaving cream sold from 1925 to 1966. The company was notable for its innovative advertising campaign, including rhymes posted throughout the nation's roadways. 

Typically, six signs were erected, each of the first five containing a line of verse in descending order and the sixth displaying the brand name "Burma-Shave."

Burma-Shave was the second brushless shaving cream to manufacture and the first to become a success. The product was sold by Clinton Odell and his sons Leonard and Allan, who formed the Burma-Vita Company, named for a liniment that was the company's first product. The Odells were not making money on Burma-Vita and wanted to sell a product that people would use daily. A wholesale drug company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the company was located, told Clinton Odell about Lloyd's Euxesis, a British product that was the first brushless shaving cream made but which was of poor quality. Clinton Odell hired a chemist named Carl Noren to produce a quality shaving cream, and after 43 attempts, Burma-Shave was born.

To market Burma-Shave, Allan Odell devised the concept of sequential signboards to sell the product. Allan Odell recalled one time when he noticed signs saying Gas, Oil, Restrooms, and finally, a sign pointing to a roadside gas station. The signs compelled people to read each one in the series and would hold the driver's attention much longer than a conventional billboard. Though Allan’s father, Clinton, wasn’t crazy about the idea, he eventually gave Allan $200 to give it a try.

In the fall of 1925, the first sets of Burma-Shave signs were erected on two highways leading out of Minneapolis. Sales rose dramatically in the area, and the signs soon appeared nationwide. The next year, Allan and his brother Leonard set up more signs, spreading across Minnesota and into Wisconsin, spending $25,000 ($325,453 today) that year on signs. Orders poured in, and sales for the year hit $68,000 ($885,234 today).

Burma-Shave sign series appeared from 1925 to 1963 in all of the lower 48 states except for New Mexico, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Four or five consecutive billboards would line highways, so they could be read sequentially by motorists driving by. This use of the billboards was a highly successful advertising gimmick, drawing attention to passers-by who were curious to discover the punch line. Within a decade, Burma-Shave was the second most popular brand of shaving cream in the United States.

The first sets of slogans were written by the Odells; however, they soon started an annual contest for people to submit rhymes. With winners receiving a $100 prize, some contests received over 50,000 entries. Burma Shave Sign at its height of popularity, there were 7,000 Burma-Shave signs stretching across America. They became such an icon to these early-day travelers that families eagerly anticipated seeing the rhyming signs along the roadway, with someone in the car excitedly proclaiming, "I see Burma-Shave signs!” Breaking up the monotony of long trips, someone once said, "No one could read just one."

Burma-Shave sales rose to about 6 million ($61,767,000 today) by 1947, at which time sales stagnated for the next seven years and then gradually began to fall. Various reasons caused sales to fall, the primary one being urban growth. Typically, Burma-Shave signs were posted on rural highways, and higher speed limits caused the signs to be ignored.

Subsequently, the Burma-Vita Company was sold to Gillette in 1963, which in turn became part of American Safety Razor and Phillip Morris. The huge conglomerate decided the verses were a silly idea, and one of America’s vintage icons was lost to progress.

By 1966, every last sign had disappeared from America's highways. Very few ended up in museums, including a couple of sets that were donated to the Smithsonian Institution.

Clinton Odell, the founder of the company, died in 1958. Allan Odell, who came up with the sign idea, passed away in 1994, and his brother Leonard in 1991.

Philip Morris sold the Burma-Shave brand name to the American Safety Razor Company in 1968. The name remained dormant until 1997 when it was reintroduced for a line of shaving cream, razors, and accessories.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.

---

EACH LINE WAS A SEPARATE SIGN, IN SEQUENTIAL ORDER OF THE DIRECTION YOU'RE DRIVING.

 

1927

Shave the modern way

No brush

No lather

No rub-in

Big tube 35 cents drug stores

Burma-Shave

Goodbye! shaving brush

Half a pound for

Half a dollar

Very fine for the skin

Druggists have it

Cheer up face the war is over

Burma-Shave

1928

Holler

Half a pound for

Half a dollar

Oh boy!

Shaving joy

Complexion save

Burma-Shave

Shave the modern way

Wash the face

Apply with fingers

Shave

Big tube 35 cents

Burma-Shave

One of the great discoveries

Goodbye! shaving brush

Old men look younger

Young men look handsomer

Very fine for the skin

Burma-Shave

Takes the "H" out of shave

Makes it save

Saves complexion

Saves time & money

No brush no lather

Burma-Shave

1929

Every shaver

Now can snore

Six more minutes

Than before

By using

Burma-Shave

Your shaving brush

Has had its day

So why not

Shave the modern way

With

Burma-Shave

Two

Hundred

Thousand

Men

Use

Burma-Shave

Half a pound

For

Half a dollar

Spread on thin

Above the collar

Burma-Shave

1930

One pound 85 cents

Half pound 50 cents

Big tube 35 cents

Don't put it off

Put it on

Burma-Shave

Does your husband

Misbehave

Grunt and grumble

Rant and rave

Shoot the brute some

Burma-Shave

Shaving brushes

Such a bother

Burma-Shave

Looks good To Father

Early to bed Early to rise

Was meant for those

Old fashioned guys

Who didn't use

Burma-Shave

Be No Longer

Lather's slave

Treat yourself to

Burma-Shave

Uncle Rube Buys tube

One week 

Looks sleek

Like sheik

Burma-Shave

Tho stiff

The beard

That Nature gave

It shaves like down

With

Burma-Shave

Shaving brushes

You'll soon see 'em

Way down east

In some

Museum

Burma-Shave

Five

Hundred

Thousand

Men

Use

Burma-Shave

Cheer up face

The war is past

The "h" is out

Of shave

At last

Burma-Shave

Half a pound

For Half a dollar

At the drug store

Simply holler

Burma-Shave

Shaving brushes

You'll soon see 'em

On the shelf

In some Museum

Burma-Shave

Six

Hundred

Thousand

Men

Use

Burma-Shave

1880 A.D.

Straight razor and

Shaving soap

1930 A.D.

Safety razor and

Burma-Shave

The 50 cent jar

So large

By heck

Even the Scotch

Now shave the neck

Burma-Shave

Are your whiskers

When you wake

Tougher than

A two-bit steak?

Try

Burma-Shave

Modern man

Spreads it on

Pats it in

Shaves it off

See him grin

Burma-Shave

Buy a tube

Use it one week

If you then want

Your money back

Send us the tube

Burma-Shave

Hinky-dinky

Parley voo

Cheer up the face

The war

Is thru

Burma-Shave

1931

Eight

Hundred

Thousand

Men

Use

Burma-Shave

Take a tip

For your trip

No wet brush

To soak

Your grip

Burma-Shave

Film protects

Your neck 

And chin

So your razor

Won't dig in

Burma-Shave

The one horse shay

Has had its day

So has the brush

And lather way

Use

Burma-Shave

It's a good

Old Spanish custom

Take your mug

And brush

And bust 'em

Burma-Shave

No matter how

You slice it

It's still your face

Be humane

Use

Burma-Shave

Hello druggist

I don't mean maybe

Yes

Sir!

That's the baby

Burma-Shave

Half a pound

For

Half a buck

Come on shavers

You're in luck

Burma-Shave

Golfers!

If fewer strokes

Are what you crave

You're out of the rough

With

Burma-Shave

Tho tough

And rough

From wind and wave

Your cheek grows sleek

With

Burma-Shave

Shaving brush

All wet

And hairy

I've passed you up

For sanitary

Burma-Shave

Makes shaving

A

Grin game

Not

A skin game

Burma-Shave

1932

Political pull

May be

Of use

For razor pull

There's no excuse

Burma-Shave

Listen shavers

Knock on wood

When offered

Something

"Just as good"

Burma-Shave

_____(Hebrew)

_____(Chinese)

_____(Greek)

The best shave

In any language

Burma-Shave

A shave

That's real

No cuts to heal

A soothing

Velvet after-feel

Burma-Shave

The cannoneers

With hairy ears

On wiry whiskers

Used tin shears

Until they found

Burma-Shave

The tube's

A whopper

35 cents

Easy shaving

Low expense

Burma-Shave

Bargain hunters

Gather 'round

Fifty cents

Buys

Half a pound

Burma-Shave

From New York town

To Pumpkin Holler

It's half a pound

For

Half a dollar

Burma-Shave

Free

Illustrated

Jingle book

In every

Package

Burma-Shave

You'll love your wife

You'll love her paw

You'll even love

Your mother-in-law

If you use

Burma-Shave

For painting

Cow-shed

Barn or fence

That shaving brush

Is just immense

Burma-Shave

Give the guy

The toe of your boot

Who tries

To hand you

A substitute for

Burma-Shave

When the jar

Is empty

Wife begins to sing

"For spices, jam & jelly

That jar is just the thing"

Burma-Shave

Lawyers, doctors

Sheiks and bakers

Mountaineers and undertakers

Make their bristly beards behave

By using brushless

Burma-Shave

Several million

Modern men

Will never go back

To the brush again

Burma-Shave

1933

Moonlight

And roses

Whiskers

Like Moses

Just don't go together

Burma-Shave

The millionth man

Has joined

Our ranks

Of happy shavers

Many thanks!

Burma-Shave

Travelers!

All

You need is

A razor

And

Burma-Shave

Late risers!

Shave in just

2 minutes flat

Kiss your wife

Grab your hat

Burma-Shave

Little shavers

Don't overlook

Illustrated

Jingle book

In every package

Burma-Shave

It's not toasted

It's not dated

But look out —

It's imitated

Insist on

Burma-Shave

Shaving brush

Was like

Old rover

When he died

He died all over

Burma-Shave

Wise old Sandy

Shopped around

This is what

Old Sandy found

50 cents buys half a pound

Burma-Shave

The answer to

A maiden's

Prayer

Is not a chin

Of stubby hair

Burma-Shave

Shaving brush

Don't you cry

You'll be a

Shoe dauber

By and by

Burma-Shave

Within this vale

Of toil

And sin

Your head grows bald

But not your chin — use

Burma-Shave

Free offer! Free offer!

Rip a fender

Off your car

Mail it in for

A half-pound jar

Burma-Shave

Everything

In it

Is fine

For the

Skin

Burma-Shave

He played

A sax

Had no B.O.

But his whiskers scratched

So she let him go

Burma-Shave

Bridge prize

For men

Just half a buck

Try it, hostess

Change your luck

Burma-Shave

Thrifty shavers

Now are found

Buying shaves

By the pound

One lb. jar 85 cents

Burma-Shave

Ruddy cheeks

And face

Of tan

Neatly shaven

What a man!

Burma-Shave

If your hubby

Trumps your ace

Here's something

That will

Save his face

Burma-Shave

Mug and brush

Old Adam

Had 'em

Is your husband

Like Adam, Madam?

Burma-Shave

25 prizes

Every week

Thruout the football season

You'll find you'd rather

Use no lather

B'golly there's a reason

Burma-Shave

To shaving brush

I need

Not cling

I will not hush

Of thee I sing

Burma-Shave

Prize contest details

May be obtained

At football broadcast

Every Saturday

Over WCCO

Burma-Shave

Hit 'em high

Hit 'em low

Follow your team

Over WCCO

And win a prize

Burma-Shave

Hit 'em high

Hit 'em low

It's action rooters crave

Millions boast — millions toast

The All-American shave

Burma-Shave

There's football in the air

And prizes for all to share

Accept our invitation

WCCO's the station

(Many prizes

Get your share)

1934

He had the ring

He had the flat

But she felt his chin

And that

Was that

Burma-Shave

Your beauty, boys

Is just

Skin deep

What skin you've got

You ought to keep

Burma-Shave

The answer to

A shaver's dream

A greaseless

No brush

Shaving cream

Burma-Shave

When cutting

Whiskers

You don't need

To leave one half

Of them for seed

Burma-Shave

Every day

We do

Our part

To make your face

A work of art

Burma-Shave

The bearded lady

Tried a jar

She's now

A famous

Movie star

Burma-Shave

Jonah took

No brush

To mop his face

Where Jonah went

He needed space

Burma-Shave

The game laws

Ought to

Let you shoot

The bird who hands you

A substitute

Burma-Shave

Bachelor's quarters

Dog on the rug

Whiskers to blame

No one

To hug

Burma-Shave

Bristly beard

Or silky fuzz

Just shave 'em back

To where

They was

Burma-Shave

Tho living costs

Are upward bound

Four bits

Still buys

Half a pound

Burma-Shave

Pity all

The mighty Caesars

They pulled

Each whisker out

With tweezers

Burma-Shave

Lather was used

By Daniel Boone

He lived

A 100 years

Too soon

Burma-Shave

Beneath this stone

Lies Elmer Gush

Tickled to death

By his shaving brush

Burma-Shave

College boys!

Your courage muster

Shave off

That fuzzy

Cookie duster

Burma-Shave

Every second

Without fail

Some store

Rings up

Another sale

Burma-Shave

That "pink toothbrush"

Is a curse

But that pink razor's

A darn sight worse

Use

Burma-Shave

Noah had whiskers

In the ark

But he wouldn't get by

On a bench

In the park

Burma-Shave

1935

His face was smooth

And cool as ice

And oh Louise!

He smelled

So nice

Burma-Shave

Water heater

Out of kilter

Try the brushless

Whisker

Wilter

Burma-Shave

Helps

Your budget

Hold it's ground

Half a dollar

Half a pound

Burma-Shave

Dewhiskered

Kisses

Defrost

The

Misses

Burma-Shave

With 200 kinds

From which to choose

2 million men

Prefer

To use

Burma-Shave

Avoid the store

Which claims

You should

Buy something else

That's just as good

Burma-Shave

If you think

She likes

Your bristles

Walk bare-footed

Through some thistles

Burma-Shave

Grandpa's beard

Was stiff and coarse

And that's what

Caused his

Fifth divorce

Burma-Shave

Cutie invited

Varsity hop

Guy full

Of whiskers

Party a flop

Burma-Shave

It took years

To perfect

For you

A brushless cream

That's greaseless too

Burma-Shave

I just joined

The young man said

A nudist camp

Is my face red?

No! I use

Burma-Shave

20 miles per gal.

Says well-known car

To go 10,000

Miles per gal

By half-pound jar

Burma-Shave

You know

Your onions

Lettuce suppose

This beets 'em all

Don't turnip your nose

Burma-Shave

Tube

Immense

35 cents

Easy shaving

Low expense

Burma-Shave

Keep well

To the right

Of the oncoming car

Get your close shaves

From the half-pound jar

Burma-Shave

Be a modern

Paul Revere

Spread the news

From ear

To ear

Burma-Shave

Whiskers long

Made Samson strong

But Samson's gal

She done

Him wrong

Burma-Shave

At Xmas time

And birthdays too

We solve

Your problems right

For you — give

Burma-Shave

Half a buck

Half a pound

No substitute

Is ever found

For

Burma-Shave

Enthusiastic user

Henry J. McLass

Spreads our product

On the lawn

When he cuts the grass

Burma-Shave

The happy golfer

Find with glee

The shave

That suits him

To a tee

Burma-Shave

Eeny-meeny

Miny-mo

Save your skin

Your time

Your dough

Burma-Shave

Shaving brush

Is out of date

Use the

Razor's

Perfect mate

Burma-Shave

If substitution

He should try

Just look that clerk

Right in the eye

And bellow

Burma-Shave

1936

Riot at

Drug store

Calling all cars

100 customers

99 jars

Burma-Shave

To get

Away from

Hairy apes

Ladies jump

From fire escapes

Burma-Shave

Special treatment

Every hair

Holds it up

And cuts

It square

Burma-Shave

Your razor

Floats thru

The hair

With the

Greatest of ease

Burma-Shave

Ed's face

Is rough

And rugged

Ed's wife

Doesn't hug Ed

Burma-Shave

Shaving brush

And soapy smear

Went out of

Style with

Hoops my dear

Burma-Shave

To every man

His shave

Is best

Until he makes

The final test

Burma-Shave

Golfers!

Hole in one

Is quite a feat

Unless that hole

Is in your meat

Burma-Shave

If you

And whiskers

Do hobnob

Some sailor gob

Will steal your squab

Burma-Shave

If you're just

An average man

Wanting to look

The best you can

Use

Burma-Shave

The cream

Preserves

Pa's razor blade

The jar preserves

Ma's marmalade

Burma-Shave

Smith Brothers

Would look immense

If they'd just

Cough up 50 cents

For half pound jar

Burma-Shave

Jimmie said a naughty word

Jimmie's mother overheard

Soapsuds? No!

He preferred

Burma-Shave

Congressman Pipp

Lost the election

Babies he kissed

Had no protection

To win — use

Burma-Shave

Let's give the

Clerk a hand

Who never

Palms off

Another brand

Burma-Shave

His tenor voice

She thought divine

Till whiskers

Scratched

Sweet Adeline

Burma-Shave

Old McDonald

On the farm

Shaved so hard

He broke his arm

Then he bought

Burma-Shave

As you journey

Down the years

Your mirror is

The glass that cheers

If you use

Burma-Shave

Cheer cheer

The gang's

All here

Riding along

Three million strong for

Burma-Shave

Hear about

The jolly tar

It smelled so good

He ate

A jar

Burma-Shave

Cooties love

Bewhiskered places

Cuties love the

Smoothest faces

Shaved by

Burma-Shave

Free! Free!!

A trip

To Mars

For 900

Empty jars

Burma-Shave

All these years

Your skin

Has dried

Why not moisten

Up your hide

Burma-Shave

1937

Holler!

Half a pound

For half a dollar

Isn't that

A cheerful earful?

Burma-Shave

Drive

With care

Be alive

When you

Arrive

Burma-Shave

Week-old beard

So masked his face

His bull dog

Chased him

Off the place

Burma-Shave

Little Willie

Modern soul

Busted Papa's

Brush and bowl

Nice work Willie

Burma-Shave

'Mid rising

Taxes

Soaring rents

Still half a pound

For fifty cents

Burma-Shave

Substitutes!

Smooth guys sell 'em

Easy marks use 'em

Well groomed men

Always refuse 'em

Burma-Shave

Every

Sheba

Wants a sheik

Strong of muscle

Smooth of cheek

Burma-Shave

If HER whiskers

Scratched YOUR cheek

You would

Send her out

To seek

Burma-Shave

The cannibals

Took just one view

And said

He looks too nice

To stew

Burma-Shave

You've laughed

At our signs

For many a mile

Be a sport

Give us a trial

Burma-Shave

If harmony

Is what

You crave

Then get

A tuba

Burma-Shave

The burma girls

In Mandalay

Dunk bearded lovers

In the bay

Who don't use

Burma-Shave

Kids! Attention!

44 best jingles

Used so far

In jingle book

With tube or jar

Burma-Shave

Men

Who've tested

Every brand

Are just the ones

Who now demand

Burma-Shave

It's in

The bag

Of every man

Who travels

Lightly as he can

Burma-Shave

My neck was sore

In front before

And also

Sore behind

Before

Burma-Shave

The crowd

You see

Around that store

Are Burma-Shavers

Buying more

Burma-Shave

Fingers were made

Before brushes —

Use 'em

They're much safer

You can't lose 'em

Burma-Shave

No pulling

At the whisker base

A soothing film

Protects

Your face

Burma-Shave

From Saskatoon

To Alabam'

You hear men praise

The shave

What am

Burma-Shave

Stomach ache!

Doctor —

Toothache!

Dentist —

Whiskers!

Burma-Shave

Bathroom shelf

Surprises me

From shaving clutter

It's now free

I'm using

Burma-Shave

Salesmen, tourists

Camper-outers

All you other

Whisker-sprouters

Don't forget your

Burma-Shave

Paper hangers

With the hives

Now can

Shave with

Carving knives

Burma-Shave

Romances are wrecked

Before they begin

By a hair

On the coat

Or a lot on the chin

Burma-Shave

He cried

And felt his chin

'Twas just another

Easy win for

Burma-Shave

Fire! Fire!

Keep cool

Be brave

Just grab

Your pants and

Burma-Shave

A silky cheek

Shaved smooth

And clean

Is not obtained

With a mowing machine

Burma-Shave

Cheek to cheek

They meant to be

The lights went out

And so did he

He needed

Burma-Shave

Henry the Eighth

Prince of friskers

Lost five wives

But kept

His whiskers

Burma-Shave

Don't take

A curve

At 60 per

We hate to lose

A customer

Burma-Shave

If you have

A double chin

You've two

Good reasons

To begin using

Burma-Shave

On a highway ad

He spied it

Bough a jar

Now glad he

Tried it

Burma-Shave

Ring out the old

Ring in the new

What good can

Shaving

Brushes do?

Burma-Shave

Say, big boy

To go

Thru life

How'd you like

A whiskered wife?

Burma-Shave

Are you

An even-tempered guy?

Mad all

The time?

Better try

Burma-Shave

The cream

One hears

The most of now

Comes from a jar

Not from a cow

Burma-Shave

The time

To start

A real dispute

Is when you're

Offered a substitute

Burma-Shave

Other things have

Gone sky high

Half a dollar

Still will buy

Half pound jar

Burma-Shave

Before I tried it

The kisses

I missed

But afterward — Boy!

The misses I kissed

Burma-Shave

No lady likes

To dance

Or dine

Accompanied by

A porcupine

Burma-Shave

In every

Half a pound

My boy

You get a ton

Of Shaving joy

Burma-Shave

Here's something

That could

Even soak

The whiskers off

A radio joke

Burma-Shave

Rip Van Winkle

Said he'd rather

Snooze for years

Than shave

With lather

Burma-Shave

After one trial

You'll want more

At the next

Good drug store

15 for 25 cents

Burma-Shave Blades

Here's the winning

Shaving team

The perfect blade

The perfect cream

Burma-Shave Blades

Burma-Shave

Sharpest blade

Ever made

Comfort speed

Guaranteed

15 for 25 cents

Burma-Shave Blades

1939

Hardly a driver

Is now alive

Who passed

On hills

At 75

Burma-Shave

Darling I am

Growing old

Nonsense!

Do as you

Are told — get

Burma-Shave

A whiskered gent

At a bazaar

Paid for

A kiss

But got a jar

Burma-Shave

Drive like

A railroad engineer

Take it easy

When the road's

Not clear

Burma-Shave

Mirror on

The bathroom wall

What's the

Smoothest shave

Of all?

Burma-Shave

Try a tube

The cream

That's in it

Is making friends

A man a minute

Burma-Shave

Soap's

That irritate

Their mugs

Turn jolly gents

To jitterbugs

Burma-Shave

Past

Schoolhouses

Take it slow

Let the little

Shavers grow

Burma-Shave

Mom and Pop

Are feeling gay

Baby said

As plain

As day

Burma-Shave

If you dislike

Big traffic fines

Slow down

'Till you

Can read these signs

Burma-Shave

Shiver my timbers

Said Captain Mack

We're ten knots out

But we're turning back

I forgot my

Burma-Shave

Special seats

Reserved in hades

For whiskered guys

Who scratch

The ladies

Burma-Shave

A peach

Looks good

With lots of fuzz

But man's no peach

And never wuz

Burma-Shave

Spread it on

And lightly too

Shave it off

That's all

You're through

Burma-Shave

Shaving brushes

Soon will

Be trimmin'

Those screwy hats

We see on wimmin

Burma-Shave

I proposed

To Ida

Ida refused

Ida won my Ida

If Ida used

Burma-Shave

The queen

Of hearts

Now loves the knave

The king

Ran out of

Burma-Shave

At crossroads

Don't just

Trust to luck

The other car

May be a truck

Burma-Shave

Christmas comes

But once

A year

One swell gift

That's always here

Burma-Shave

Careless driving

Soon we hope

Will go

The way

Of brush and soap

Burma-Shave

Careless

Bridegroom

Dainty bride

Scratchy whiskers

Homicide

Burma-Shave

1939 (Special Series)

Good to the last strop

Burma-Shave

Covers a multitude of chins

Burma-Shave

Nix on nicks

Burma-Shave

For faces that go places

Burma-Shave

Don't put it off — Put it on

Burma-Shave

Shave faster without disaster

Burma-Shave

Makes good because it's made good

Burma-Shave

Takes the "H" out of shave

Burma-Shave

No digging in on tender skin

Burma-Shave

Makes misses Mrs.

Burma-Shave

Brush? No! Too slow

Burma-Shave

Equip your grip

Burma-Shave

No pushee No pully Smooth shavy Feel bully

Burma-Shave

Beard unruly — Meet yours truly

Burma-Shave

Aid the blade

Burma-Shave

Those who click — pick

Burma-Shave

Better shaving at a saving

Burma-Shave

Start the day the modern way

Burma-Shave

50% quicker 100% slicker

Burma-Shave

You'll enthuse as you use

Burma-Shave

Look "spiffy" in a "jiffy"

Burma-Shave

No sooner spread than done

Burma-Shave

Saves your jack — Holds your Jill

Burma-Shave

No sooner spread than done

Burma-Shave

Romance never starts from scratch

Burma-Shave

Try our whisker licker

Burma-Shave

Join the millions using soothing

Burma-Shave

A word to the wives is sufficient

Burma-Shave

Just spread, then pat — Now shave, that's that!

Burma-Shave

Hot tip, pal — More smiles per gal

Burma-Shave

Won by a hair that wasn't there

Burma-Shave

Pays dividends in lady friends

Burma-Shave

Is your face her misfortune? Try

Burma-Shave

If getting up gets you down — Use

Burma-Shave

When you shop for your pop

Burma-Shave

Once a day the easy way

Burma-Shave

No trick to click if quick to pick

Burma-Shave

Other days — other ways. Nowadays

Burma-Shave

Deluxe de looks with

Burma-Shave

He's nifty and thrifty — looks 30 at 50

Burma-Shave

Best reference — public preference

Burma-Shave

Economize with this size

Burma-Shave

A better buy — why not try

Burma-Shave

Right about face

Burma-Shave

1940

Said Juliet

To Romeo

If you

Won't shave

Go homeo

Burma-Shave

When you drive

If caution ceases

You are apt

To rest

In pieces

Burma-Shave

All little rhyming

Jokes aside

Don't be content

Until you've

Tried

Burma-Shave

You can't reach 80

Hale and hearty

By driving 80

Home from

The party

Burma-Shave

Substitutes and

Imitations

Send 'em to

Your wife's

Relations

Burma-Shave

He married Grace

With scratchy face

He only

Got one day

Of Grace!

Burma-Shave

College cutie

Pigskin hero

Bristly Kiss

Hero

Zero

Burma-Shave

Buy a jar

Take it from me

There's so

Much in it

The last half's free

Burma-Shave

He's the boy

The gals forgot

His line

Was smooth

His chin was not

Burma-Shave

Put your brush

Back on the shelf

The darn thing

Needs a

Shave itself

Burma-Shave

It's best for

One who hits

The bottle

To let another

Use the throttle

Burma-Shave

Don't pass cars

On curve or hill

If the cops

Don't get you

Morticians will

Burma-Shave

With glamour girls

You'll never click

Bewhiskered

Like a

Bolshevik

Burma-Shave

A scratchy chin

Like bright

Pink socks

Puts any romance

On the rocks

Burma-Shave

Always remember

On any trip

Keep two things

Within your grip

Your steering wheel and

Burma-Shave

Give hand signals

To those behind

They don't know

What's in

Your mind

Burma-Shave

The bearded devil

Is forced

To dwell

In the only place

Where they don't sell

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

Would irk a saint

You hope they are

What you know

They ain't

Burma-Shave

Prickly pears

Are picked

For pickles

No peach picks

A face that prickles

Burma-Shave

Guys whose eyes

Are in

Their backs

Get halos crossing

Railroad tracks

Burma-Shave

A Christmas hug

A birthday kiss

Awaits

The woman

Who gives this

Burma-Shave

Just spread

Then pat

Now shave

That's

That

Burma-Shave

1941

Here's

A good deed

For a scout

Tell your dad

All about

Burma-Shave

They missed

The turn

Car was whizz'n

Fault was her'n

Funeral his'n

Burma-Shave

Tell

The dear

Who shops around

That half a buck

Buys half a pound

Burma-Shave

She kissed

The hairbrush

By mistake

She thought it was

Her husband Jake

Burma-Shave

He used

Umbrella

For parachute

Now rejects

Every substitute

Burma-Shave

Don't stick

Your elbow

Out so far

It might go home

In another car

Burma-Shave

Soldier

Sailor

And marine

Now get a shave

That's quick and clean

Burma-Shave

Remember this

If you'd

Be spared

Trains don't whistle

Because they're scared

Burma-Shave

When better

Shaving brushes

Are made

We'll still shave

Without their aid

Burma-Shave

When junior takes

Your ties

And car

It's time to buy

An extra jar

Burma-Shave

Gets each

Whisker

At the base

No ingrown hair

On neck or face

Burma-Shave

If man bites doggie

That is news

If face

Scares doggie

Better use

Burma-Shave

At intersections

Look each way

A harp sounds nice

But it's

Hard to play

Burma-Shave

Life is sweet

But oh how bitter!

To love a gal

And then

Not git 'er

Burma-Shave

Trains don't wander

All over the map

For no one

Sits on

The engineer's lap

Burma-Shave

When Peter Piper

Pickle picker

Kissed his gal

His beard

Would prick 'er

Burma-Shave

The answer to

A maiden's prayer

Is a man

Most anywhere

Using

Burma-Shave

Rhyme and reason

Every season

You've read

The rhyme

Now try the reason

Burma-Shave

Wild

Dashes

From by-ways

Cause crashes

On highways

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

Resemble

Tail-chasing pup

Follow and follow

But never catch up

Burma-Shave

From

Bar

To Car

To

Gates ajar

Burma-Shave

If every sip

Fills you

With zip

Then your sipper

Needs a zipper

Burma-Shave

Broken romance

Stated fully

She went wild

When he

Went wooly

Burma-Shave

1942

Pa likes the cream

Ma likes the jar

Both like

The price

So there you are

Burma-Shave

Brother speeders

Let's

Rehearse

All together

"Good morning, Nurse!"

Burma-Shave

'Mid rising

Taxes

Soaring rents

Still half a pound

For fifty cents

Burma-Shave

Approached

A crossing

Without looking

Who will eat

His widow's cooking?

Burma-Shave

Drove too long

Driver snoozing

What happened next

Is not

Amusing

Burma-Shave

Stores are full

Of shaving aids

But all you need

Is this

And blades

Burma-Shave

Pa acted

So tickled

Ma thot

He was pickled

He'd just tried

Burma-Shave

Iceman's grandson

Now full grown

Has cooling system

All his own

He uses

Burma-Shave

If you

Don't know

Whose signs

These are

You can't have

Driven very far

Burma-Shave

Let's make Hitler

And Hirohito

Look as sick as

Old Benito

Buy defense bonds

Burma-Shave

Can't shave daily?

Tender hide?

Now be honest

Have you

Tried

Burma-Shave

There's no whisker

It won't soften

Shave 'em close

And not

So often

Burma-Shave

If hugging

On highways

Is your sport

Trade in your car

For a davenport

Burma-Shave

Shaving brush

In army pack

Was straw that broke

The rookie's back

Use brushless

Burma-Shave

A girl

Should hold on

To her youth

But not

When he's driving

Burma-Shave

Maybe you can't

Shoulder a gun

But you can shoulder

The cost of one

Buy defense bonds

Burma-Shave

Of all

The drunks

Who drive on Sunday

Some are stil

Alive on Monday

Burma-Shave

"At ease," she said

"Maneuvers begin

When you get

Those whiskers

Off your chin"

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

Like unseen barter

Often make one

Sad

But smarter

Burma-Shave

Traveling men

Know ease

And speed

Their shaving kits

Hold what they need

Burma-Shave

What you shouted

May be true,

But

Did you hear

What he called you?

Burma-Shave

Buying defense bonds

Means money lent

So they

Don't cost you

One red cent

Burma-Shave

To most brush shavers

It's quite clear

The yanks aren't coming

The yanks are here

Use brushless

Burma-Shave

1943

Every shaver

Now can snore

Six more minutes

Than before

By using

Burma-Shave

One pound jar 85 ¢

Half pound jar 50 ¢

Big tube 35 ¢

Don't put it off

Put it on

Burma-Shave

Half a pound

For

Half a dollar

Spread on thin

Above the collar

Burma-Shave

Shaving brushes

You'll soon see 'em

On the shelf

In some

Museum

Burma-Shave

Does your husband

Misbehave

Grunt and grumble

Rant and rave

Shoot the brute some

Burma-Shave

It's a good

Old Spanish custom

Take your mug

And brush

And bust 'em

Burma-Shave

Early to bed

Early to rise

Was meant for those

Old fashioned guys

Who don't use

Burma-Shave

Within this vale

Of toil

And sin

Your head grows bald

But not your chin — Use

Burma-Shave

The cannoneers

With hairy ears

On wiry whiskers

Used tin shears

Until they found

Burma-Shave

Film protects

Your neck

And chin

So your razor

Won't dig in

Burma-Shave

Tho tough

And rough

From wind and wave

Your cheek grows sleek

With

Burma-Shave

Many a wolf

Is never let in

Because of the hair

On his

Chinny-chin-chin

Burma-Shave

1944 is missing.

1945

She raised cain

When he raised stubble

Guess what

Smoothed away

Their trouble?

Burma-Shave

Big mistake

Many make

Rely on horn

Instead of

Brake

Burma-Shave

From statistics

That we gather

The swing is to

No brush

No lather

Burma-Shave

No man can really

Do his stuff

With a face that's sore

Or a chin

That's rough

Burma-Shave

First men buy it

Then apply it

Then advise

Their friends

To try it

Burma-Shave

If these

Signs blur

And bounce around

You'd better park

And walk to town

Burma-Shave

This is not

A clever verse

I tried

And tried

But just

Got worse

Burma-Shave

You can beat

A mile a minute

But there ain't

No future

In it

Burma-Shave

Sleep in a chair

Nothing to lose

But a nap

At the wheel

Is a permanent snooze

Burma-Shave

Life with father

Is more pleasant

Since

He got this

Birthday present

Burma-Shave

To a substitute

He gave a trial

It took off

Nothing

But his smile

Burma-Shave

It spreads so smooth

It shaves so slick

It feels

Like velvet

And it's quick

Burma-Shave

'Twould be

More fun

To go by air

If we could put

These signs up there

Burma-Shave

His line was smooth

But not his chin

He took her out

She took him in

To buy some

Burma-Shave

Drinking drivers

Enhance their

Chance

To highball home

In an ambulance

Burma-Shave

Why does a chicken

Cross the street?

She sees a guy

She'd like to meet

He uses

Burma-Shave

The chick

He wed

Let out a whoop

Felt his chin and

Flew the coop

Burma-Shave

Tested

In peace

Proven in war

Better now

Than ever before

Burma-Shave

Both hands

On wheel

Eyes on road

That's the skillful

Driver's code

Burma-Shave

1946 is missing.

1947

You've used

Our cream

Now try our blades

Pair up the best

In shaving aids

Burma-Shave

Don't lose

Your head

To gain a minute

You need your head

Your brains are in it

Burma-Shave

That she

Could cook

He had his doubts

Until she creamed

His bristle sprouts with

Burma-Shave

Famous last words

"If he won't

Dim his

I won't

Dim mine"

Burma-Shave

The wolf

Who longs

To roam and prowl

Should shave before

He starts to howl

Burma-Shave

Car in ditch

Driver in tree

Moon was full

And so

Was he

Burma-Shave

As you drive

Play this game

Construct

A jingle

With this name

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

That promise perfection

Are like

Some candidates

After election

Burma-Shave

If a gift

You must choose

Give him

One that

He can use

Burma-Shave

Santa's

Whiskers

Need no trimmin'

He kisses kids

Not the wimmin

Burma-Shave

When the stork

Delivers a boy

Our whole

Darn factory

Jumps for joy

Burma-Shave

Altho

We've sold

Six million others

We still can't sell

Those coughdrop brothers

Burma-Shave

Join

Our happy

Brushless throng

Six million users

Can't be wrong

Burma-Shave

We know

How much

You love that gal

But use both hands

For driving, pal

Burma-Shave

In Cupid's little

Bag of trix

Here's the one

That clix

With chix

Burma-Shave

Thrifty jars for

Stay at homes

Handy tubes

For him

Who roams

Burma-Shave

I use it too

The bald man said

It keeps my face

Just like

My head

Burma-Shave

Grandpa's

Out with

Junior's date

Old technique

With brand new bait

Burma-Shave

No soggy brushes

In your grip

You've always

Got a

Finger tip

Burma-Shave

If you want

A hearty squeeze

Get our

Female

Anti-freeze

Burma-Shave

Substitutes would

Have their place

If you could

Substitute

Your face

Burma-Shave

Man passes

Dog house

Dog sees chin

Dog gets out

Man gets in

Burma-Shave

A guy

Who wants

To middle-aisle it

Must never scratch

His little violet

Burma-Shave

Prices rising

O'er the nation

Here is one

That missed

Inflation

Burma-Shave

The first

Improvement

In many a year

For cleaning teeth

Is finally here

Burma-Vita Tooth Powder

Speaking of

Great events

Burma-Shave

Proudly presents

Another fine product

Burma-Vita Tooth Powder

Just moisten

Your tooth brush

Dip in jar

And you'll enjoy

Cleaner teeth by far

Burma-Vita Tooth Powder

Don't waste powder

Down the drain

By missing brush

With faulty aim

A dip does it

Burma-Vita Tooth Powder

Better tooth cleanser

Low expense

Your druggist

Sells it

40 cents

Burma-Vita Tooth Powder

Tobacco stains

And stale breath too

Are two

Of the things

It takes from you

Burma-Vita Tooth Powder

1948

Road

Was slippery

Curve was sharp

White robe, halo

Wings and harp

Burma-Shave

Hat and tie

Smart and clean

Space between

Spoiled the scene

He should use

Burma-Shave

The boy who gets

His girl's applause

Must act

Not look

Like Santa Claus

Burma-Shave

Within this vale

Of toil

And sin

Your head grows bald

But not your chin—use

Burma-Shave

Speed

Was high

Weather was not

Tires were thin

X marks the spot

Burma-Shave

Why work up

A daily lather

Once you've tried

We're sure

You'd rather

Burma-Shave

If you think

She likes

Your bristles

Walk bare-footed

Through some thistles

Burma-Shave

The more

You shave

The brushless way

The more you'll be

Inclined to say—

Burma-Shave

Substitutes and

Imitations

Send 'em to

Your wife's

Relations

Burma-Shave

Highways are

No place

To sleep

Stop your car

To count your sheep

Burma-Shave

The minutes

Some folks

Save through speed

They never even

Live to need

Burma-Shave

At school zones

Heed instructions!

Protect

our little

Tax deductions

Burma-Shave

Regardless of

Political views

All good parties

Always

Choose

Burma-Shave

The midnight ride

Of Paul

For beer

Led to a

Warmer hemisphere

Burma-Shave

It's not

How fast or slow

You drive

The question is

How you arrive

Burma-Shave

A man who passes

On hills and curves

Is not a man

Of iron nerves—

He's crazy!

Burma-Shave

I've read

These signs

Since just a kid

Now that I shave

I'm glad I did

Burma-Shave

We don't

Know how

To split an atom

But as to whiskers

Let us at 'em

Burma-Shave

Paper hangers

With the hives

Now can

Shave with

Carving knives

Burma-Shave

Wild men pulled

Their whiskers out

That's what made

Them wild

No doubt—

Burma-Shave

Look

Don't listen

Pop is trying

A substitute

Instead of buying

Burma-Shave

Little Bo-Peep

Has lost her Jeep

It struck

A truck

When she went to sleep

Burma-Shave

A man

A miss

A car—a curve

He kissed the miss

And missed the curve

Burma-Shave

Whiskers

Easy come,

You know

Why not make them

Easy go?

Burma-Shave

1948 (Anti-inflation series)

Bargain hunters

Gather 'round

For fifty cents

Still

Half a pound

Burma-Shave

No price increase

Other things have

Gone sky high

Half a dollar

Still will buy

Half pound jar

Burma-Shave

No price increase

From New York town

To Pumpkin Holler

Still

Half a pound

For half a dollar

Burma-Shave

No price increase

A big

Improvement

Since the war

Is now on sale

In your drug store

Burma-Shave

No price increase

Tube immense

Still

35 cents

Easy shaving

Low expense

Burma-Shave

No price increase

1949

Leap year's over

You're safe, men

All you cowards

Can shave again

With brushless

Burma-Shave

He saw

The train

And tried to duck it

Kicked first the gas

And then the bucket

Burma-Shave

Headline news

For face

And chin

Now improved

With lanolin

Burma-Shave

His face

Was loved

By just his mother

He Burma-Shaved

And now—

Oh, brother

Burma-Shave

When frisky

With whiskey

Don't drive

'Cause it's

Risky

Burma-Shave

His beard

Was long

And strong and tough

He lost his

Chicken in the rough

Burma-Shave

Just this once

And just for fun

We'll let you

Finish

What we've begun

Burma-Shave

With television

On the set

Stars are

Running out

To get

Burma-Shave

With A sleek cheek

Pressed to hers

Jeepers! Creepers!

How she purrs

Burma-Shave

Men

Who have to

Travel light

Find the handy tube

Just right

Burma-Shave

Since hubby

Tried

That substitute

He's 1/3 man

And 2/3 brute

Burma-Shave

He always used

A steaming towel

And mug and brush

And language foul

'Til he tried

Burma-Shave

If you

Must sample

Her "pucker paint"

Better drive

Where traffic ain't

Burma-Shave

It gave

Swell shaves before

Now you'll like it

Even more

The new—improved

Burma-Shave

Pull off

The road

To change a flat

Protect your life—

No spare for that!

Burma-Shave

Tho tough

And rough

From wind and wave

Your cheek

Grows sleek with

Burma-Shave

In seventy years

Of brushin' soap on

Gramps coulda painted

The pentagon

Use brushless

Burma-Shave

These three

Prevent most accidents

Courtesy

Caution

Common sense

Burma-Shave

Said one whisker

To another

Can't get tough

With this stuff

Brother

Burma-Shave

Old Dobbin

reads these signs

Each day

You see, he gets

His corn that way

Burma-Shave

To soothe

And smooth

Your tender skin

It's now improved

With lanolin

Burma-Shave

One Burma-Shave

The school boy cried

At least

I'll smell

As if I tried

Burma-Shave

Ashes to ashes

Forests to dust

Keep Minnesota green

Or we'll

All go bust

Burma-Shave

Ashes to ashes

Forests to dust

Keep Wisconsin green

Or we'll

All go bust

Burma-Shave

1950

His cheek

Was rough

His chick vamoosed

And now she won't

Come home to roost

Burma-Shave

Twinkle, twinkle

One-eyed car

We all wonder

WHERE

You are

Burma-Shave

On curves ahead

Remember, sonny

That rabbit's foot

Didn't save

The bunny

Burma-Shave

When

Super-shaved

Remember, pard

You'll still get slapped

But not so hard

Burma-Shave

His brush is gone

So what'll we do

Said Mike Robe I

To Mike Robe II

Burma-Shave

The place to pass

On curves

You know

Is only at

A beauty show

Burma-Shave

A whiskery kiss

For the one

You adore

May not make her mad

But her face will be sore

Burma-Shave

Burma-Shave

Was such a boom

They passed

The bride

And kissed the groom

These signs

We gladly

Dedicate

To men who've had

No date of late

Burma-Shave

If your peach

Keeps out

Of reach

Better practice

What we preach

Burma-Shave

A guy

Who drives

A car wide open

Is not thinkin'

He's just hopin'

Burma-Shave

To kiss

A mug

That's like a cactus

Takes more nerve

Than it does practice

Burma-Shave

The whale

Put Jonah

Down the hatch

But coughed him up

Because he scratched

Burma-Shave

Violets are blue

Roses are pink

On graves

Of those

Who drive and drink

Burma-Shave

Candidate says

Campaign

Confusing

Babies kiss me

Since I've been using

Burma-Shave

My job is

Keeping faces clean

And nobody knows

De stubble

I've seen

Burma-Shave

Doesn't

Kiss you

Like she useter?

Perhaps she's seen

A smoother rooster!!

Burma-Shave

No use

Knowing

How to pick 'em

If your half-shaved

Whiskers stick 'em

Burma-Shave

He tried

To cross

As fast train neared

Death didn't draft him

He volunteered

Burma-Shave

Her chariot

Raced 80 per

They hauled away

What had

Ben Her

Burma-Shave

She will

Flood your face

With kisses

'Cause you smell

So darn delicious

Burma-Shave Lotion

Use Burma-Shave

In tube

Or jar

Then follow up

With our new star

Burma-Shave Lotion

It has a tingle

And a tang

That starts

The day off

With a bang

Burma-Shave Lotion

Bracing as

An ocean breeze

For after shaving

It's sure

To please

Burma-Shave Lotion

For early

Morning

Pep and bounce

A brand new product

We announce

Burma-Shave Lotion

The ladies

Take one whiff

And purr—

It's no wonder

Men prefer

Burma-Shave Lotion

His face

Was smooth

And cool as ice

And oh! Louise!

He smelled so nice

Burma-Shave Lotion

1951

I'd heard

It praised

By drug store clerks

I tried the stuff

Hot dog! It works

Burma-Shave

Train wrecks few

Reason clear

Fireman

Never hugs

Engineer

Burma-Shave

Altho insured

Remember, kiddo

They don't pay you

They pay

Your widow

Burma-Shave

My cheek

Says she

Feels smooth as satin

Ha! Ha! Says he

That's mine you're pattin'

Burma-Shave

Soap

May do

For lads with fuzz

Bur sir, you ain't

The kid you wuz

Burma-Shave

She eyed

His beard

And said no dice

The wedding's off—

I'll COOK the rice

Burma-Shave

Train approaching

Whistle squealing

Pause!

Avoid that

Rundown feeling!

Burma-Shave

Unless

Your face

Is stinger free

You'd better let

Your honey be

Burma-Shave

Another

Red skin

Bit the dust

When Pa tried

What these signs discussed

Burma-Shave

The band

For which

The grand stand roots

Is not made up

Substi-toots!

Burma-Shave

Cautious rider

To her

Reckless dear

Let's have less bull

And lots more steer

Burma-Shave

Spring

Has sprung

The grass has riz

Where last year's

Careless drivers is

Burma-Shave

Big blue tube

It's a honey

Best squeeze play

For love

Or money

Burma-Shave

Proper

Distance

To him was bunk

They pulled him out

Of some guy's trunk

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

Can do

More harm

Than city fellers

On a farm

Burma-Shave

Pat's bristles

Scratched

Bridget's nose

That's when

Her wild irish rose

Burma-Shave

The hobo

Lets his

Whiskers sprout

It's trains—not girls

That he takes out

Burma-Shave

A beard

That's rough

And overgrown

is better than

A chaperone

Burma-Shave

Drinking drivers

Don't you know

Great bangs

From little

Binges grow?

Burma-Shave

I know

He's a wolf

Said riding hood

But Grandma dear,

He smells so good

Burma-Shave

1952

The wife

Who keeps on

Being kissed

Always heads

Her shopping list

Burma-Shave

Is he

Lonesome

Or just blind—

This guy who drives

So close behind?

Burma-Shave

Pedro

Walked

Back home by golly

His bristly chin

Was hot-to-Molly

Burma-Shave

Missin'

Kissin'?

Perhaps your thrush

Can't get thru

The underbrush—try

Burma-Shave

Clancy's

Whiskers

Tickle Nancy

Nancy lowered the boom

On Clancy!

Burma-Shave

A chin

Where barbed wire

Bristles stand

Is bound to be

A no ma'ams land

Burma-Shave

Leaves

Face soft

As woman's touch

Yet doesn't cost you

Near as much

Burma-Shave

We can't

Provide you

With a date

But we do supply

The best darn bait

Burma-Shave

The wolf

Is shaved

So neat and trim

Red Riding Hood

Is chasing him

Burma-Shave

Relief

For faces

Chapped and sore

Keeps 'em comin'

Back for more

Burma-Shave

His

Tomato

Was the mushy type

Until his beard

Grew over-ripe

Burma-Shave

Heaven's

Latest

Neophyte

Signalled left

Then turned right

Burma-Shave

Better try

Less speed per mile

That car

May have to

Last a while

Burma-Shave

To steal

A kiss

He had the knack

But lacked the cheek

To get one back

Burma-Shave

We've made

Grandpa

Look so trim

The local

Draft board's after him

Burma-Shave

"No, no,"

She said

To her bristly beau

"I'd rather

Eat the mistletoe"

Burma-Shave

His rose

Is wed

His violet blew

But his sugar is sweet

Since he took this cue

Burma-Shave

Why is it

When you

Try to pass

The guy in front

Goes twice as fast?

Burma-Shave

She put

A bullet

Thru his hat

But he's had

Closer shaves than that

Burma-Shave

5-star

Generals

Privates 1st class

Show equal rank

In the looking-glass

Burma-Shave

1953

When you lay

Those few cents down

You've bought

The smoothest

Shave in town

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

Are like a girdle

They find some jobs

They just

Can't hurdle

Burma-Shave

"If you want a good shave?" 

“Si quieres un buen afeitado?” — Spanish

“Si vous voulez un bon rasage?” — French

“Wenn Sie sich gut rasieren wollen?” — German

“Se vuoi una buona rasatura?” — Italian

The best shave

In any language

Burma-Shave

We're widely read

And often quoted

But it's shaves

Not signs

For which we're noted

Burma-Shave

Men who

Have to

Travel light

Find the 35 cent tube

Just right

Burma-Shave

It gave

McDonald

That needed charm

Hello Hollywood

Good-by farm

Burma-Shave

A shave

That's real

No cuts to heal

A soothing

Velvet after-feel

Burma-Shave

Around

The curve

Lickety-split

It's a beautiful car

Wasn't it?

Burma-Shave

Our fortune

Is your

Shaven face

It's our best

Advertising space

Burma-Shave

If Crusoe'd

Kept his chin

More tidy

He might have found

A lady Friday

Burma-Shave

Feel your face

As you ride by

Now don't

You think

It's time to try

Burma-Shave

If anything

Will please

Your Jill

A little jack

For this jar will

Burma-Shave

That barefoot

Chap

With cheeks of tan

Won't let 'em chap

When he's a man

Burma-Shave

If harmony

Is what

You crave

Then get

A tuba

Burma-Shave

The bearded devil

Is forced

To dwell

In the only place

Where they don't sell

Burma-Shave

This cream

Makes the

Gardener's daughter

Plant her tu-lips

Where she oughter

Burma-Shave

No matter

The price

No matter how new

The best safety device

In your car is you

Burma-Shave

He asked

His kitten

To pet and purr

She eyed his puss

And screamed "What fur!"

Burma-Shave

Toughest

Whiskers

In the town

We hold 'em up

You mow 'em down

Burma-Shave

These signs

Are not

For laughs alone

The face they save

May be your own

Burma-Shave

The hero

Was brave and strong

And willin'

She felt his chin—

Then wed the villain

Burma-Shave

The safest rule

No ifs or buts

Just drive

Like every one else

Is nuts!

Burma-Shave

1954 is missing.

1955

Dinah doesn't

Treat him right

But if he'd

Shave

Dyna-mite!

Burma-Shave

To change that

Shaving job

To joy

You gotta use

The real McCoy

Burma-Shave

Tho stiff

The beard

That Nature gave

It shaves

Like down with

Burma-Shave

His crop of

Whiskers

Needed reaping

That's what kept

His Lena leaping

Burma-Shave

The blackened forest

Smoulders yet

Because

He flipped

A cigarette

Burma-Shave

Jar so big

Cost so small

Coolest

Smoothest

Shave of all

Burma-Shave

Slow down, Pa

Sakes alive

Ma missed signs

Four

And five

Burma-Shave

Grandpa knows

It ain't too late

He's gone

To git

Some widder bait

Burma-Shave

Free—free

A trip

To Mars

For 900

Empty jars

Burma-Shave

A Christmas hug

A birthday kiss

Awaits

The woman

Who gives this

Burma-Shave

The big blue tube's

Just like Louise

You get

A thrill

From every squeeze

Burma-Shave

The monkey took

One look at Jim

And threw the peanuts

Back at him

He needed

Burma-Shave

Substitutes

Can let you down

Quicker

Than a

Strapless gown

Burma-Shave

For shaving comfort

Without

A sting

That big blue tube

Has everything

Burma-Shave

6 million housewives

Can't be wrong

Who keep

Their husbands

Right along in

Burma-Shave

Try a tube

Its cooling

Power

Refreshes like

An April shower

Burma-Shave

One shave lasts

All day through

Face feels

Cool and

Smoother too

Burma-Shave

Within this vale

Of toil

And sin

Your head grows bald

But not your chin

Burma-Shave

Take

Your

Time

Not

Your life

Burma-Shave

Cattle crossing

Means go slow

That old bull

Is some

Cow's beau

Burma-Shave

Does your husband

Misbehave

Grunt and grumble

Rant and rave?

Shoot the brute some

Burma-Shave

Meanwhile, four years later...

1959

The draftee

Tried a tube

And purred

Well whaddya know

I've been defurred

Burma-Shave

This cooling shave

Will never fail

To stamp

Its user

First class male

Burma-Shave

Drinking drivers—

Nothing worse

They put

The quart

Before the hearse

Burma-Shave

Men

With whiskers

'Neath their noses

Oughta have to kiss

Like eskimoses

Burma-Shave

Said farmer Brown

Who's bald

On top

Wish I could

Rotate the crop

Burma-Shave

Don't

Try passing

On a slope

Unless you have

A periscope

Burma-Shave

Passing cars

When you can't see

May get you

A glimpse

Of eternity

Burma-Shave

Don't leave safety

To mere chance

That's why

Belts are

Sold with pants

Burma-Shave

At a quiz

Pa ain't

No whiz

But he knows how

To keep Ma his

Burma-Shave

Many a forest

Used to stand

Where a

Lighted match

Got out of hand

Burma-Shave

Baby your skin

Keep it fitter

Or "baby"

Will get

Another sitter

Burma-Shave

Use this cream

A day

Or two

Then don't call her—

She'll call you

Burma-Shave

The poorest guy

In the

Human race

Can have a

Million dollar face

Burma-Shave

If daisies

Are your

Favorite flower

Keep pushin' up those

Miles-per-hour

Burma-Shave

He lit a match

To check gas tank

That's why

They call him

Skinless frank

Burma-Shave

The one who

Drives when

He's been drinking

Depends on you

To do his thinking

Burma-Shave

1960

This cream

Is like

A parachute

There isn't

Any substitute

Burma-Shave

Tempted to try it?

Follow your hunch

Be "Top Banana"

Not one

Of the bunch

Burma-Shave

Bristles scratched

His cookie's map

That's what

Made poor

Ginger snap

Burma-Shave

We've made Grandpa

Look so youthful

His pension board

Thinks

He's untruthful

Burma-Shave

Use our cream

And we betcha

Girls won't wait

They'll come

And getcha

Burma-Shave

Henry the Eighth

Sure had

Trouble

Short term wives

Long term stubble

Burma-Shave

Angels

Who guard you

When you drive

Usually

Reture at 65

Burma-Shave

Forest fires

Start from scratch

So think before

You toss

That match

Burma-Shave

Dim your lights

Behind a car

Let folks see

How bright

YOU are

Burma-Shave

Thirty days

Hath September

April

June and the

Speed offender

Burma-Shave

Others claim

Their product good

But ours

Does what

You think it should

Burma-Shave

Ben

Met Anna

Made a hit

Neglected beard

Ben-Anna split

Burma-Shave

Drowsy?

Just remember, pard

That marble slab

Is doggone

Hard

Burma-Shave

Statistics prove

Near and far

That folks who

Drive like crazy

—Are!

Burma-Shave

Dear lover boy,

Your photo came

But your doggone beard

Won't fit

The frame

Burma-Shave

This will never

Come to pass

A back-seat

Driver

Out of gas

Burma-Shave

1963, the end of The Burma-Shave era

Don't lose

Your head

To gain a minute

You need your head

Your brains are in it

Burma-Shave

If a gift

You must choose

Give him one

He'll like

To use

Burma-Shave

Pedro

Walked

Back home, by golly

His bristly chin

Was hot-to-Molly

Burma-Shave

If our road signs

Catch your eye

Smile

But don't forget

To buy

Burma-Shave

When the stork

Delivers a boy

Our whole

Darn factory

Jumps for joy

Burma-Shave

Film protects

Your neck

And chin

So your razor

Won't dig in

Burma-Shave

A shave

That's real

No cuts to heal

A soothing

Velvet after-feel

Burma-Shave

If hugging

On highways

Is your sport

Trade in your car

For a davenport

Burma-Shave

In cupid's little

Bag of trix

Here's the one

That clix

With chix

Burma-Shave

A guy

Who wants

To middle-aisle it

Must never scratch

His little Violet

Burma-Shave

Every day

We do

Our part

To make your face

A work of art

Burma-Shave

Thrifty jars for

Stay at homes

Handy tubes

For him

Who roams

Burma-Shave

We don't

Know how

To split an atom

But as to whiskers

Let us at 'em

Burma-Shave

If you want

A hearty squeeze

Get our

Female

Anti-freeze

Burma-Shave

Can't shave daily?

Tender hide?

Now be honest

Have you

Tried

Burma-Shave

The chick

He wed

Let out a whoop

Felt his chin and

Flew the coop

Burma-Shave

Our fortune

Is your

Shaven face

It's our best

Advertising space

Burma-Shave