When I found this photo of Albert Rich’s first popcorn wagon (1907-1925), pulled by his horse Roxy, I decided to investigate.
In 1885 Charles Cretors of Chicago invented the steam-powered peanut roaster. To capture attention, he added a steam-powered clown, the Toasty Roasty Man, who stirred the peanuts. It premiered at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.
The Cretors catalog and price list seems to indicate that Albert’s first wagon was the Improved Special Model “D” horse-drawn popcorn wagon, probably purchased for around $2300 (about $40,000 in 2025).
In 1925, Albert designed and ordered a special auto launch wagon from the C. Cretors Company of Chicago. According to the 1925 Cretors Price List it appears to be the “Autombile Model” which cost $3500 (about $65,000 in 2025). This example, of which only two were built, is mounted on a Ford Model TT chassis. A Cretors steam engine and LP gas powers its popcorn poppers, grill, peanut roasters, hot dog steamer, and bun warmer.
Many, but not all, movie theaters today use popcorn machines made by C. Cretors Company of Chicago
