Overview of Selects: What Is A Mold‑A‑Rama?
This episode (a curated replay of Stuff You Should Know) explains Mold‑A‑Rama — the vintage vending machines that melt, mold and blow‑form a hollow plastic figurine on demand. Hosts Josh Clark and Charles “Chuck” Bryant trace the device’s origin, how the machines work, why they became a 1960s sensation at world’s fairs and theme parks, and how a surprising number of original machines still operate today at zoos and tourist attractions.
Main takeaways
- Mold‑A‑Rama machines are on‑demand injection blow‑molding vending machines that produce a hollow plastic toy right in front of you.
- The concept grew from a small business (Tyke J. Miller) that made individual figurines starting in the 1930s; the molded‑toy vending idea exploded at world’s fairs in the 1960s.
- About 200 machines were built in the 1960s; many of those original units are still in service and owned by family operators and small companies.
- Machines are mechanically complex and maintenance‑heavy (hydraulics, steam heating, molten plastic vats), which is why they were expensive to make and required dedicated operators.
- There’s a small but enthusiastic collector and operator community; dozens of machines are still active (notably in Toledo and other Midwestern and tourist locations).
History and cultural context
- Origin story: Tyke J. Miller (Quincy, Illinois) and his wife made and sold individual plaster figurines starting in 1937; WWII disruptions helped spur U.S. production of small figures.
- Transition to plastic and injection‑blow technology in the 1950s/60s. Miller’s company produced popular lines (e.g., “Earth Invaders” / Miller Aliens).
- Mold‑A‑Rama debuted as a novelty at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and became hugely popular at the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair. Branded, licensed versions were used by companies (Disney, Sinclair, etc.).
- ARA (Automatic Retailers of America / later Aramark) manufactured the machines through the 1960s; they stopped in the early 1970s and sold many units to independent operators.
How a Mold‑A‑Rama works (simplified)
- Molding method: injection blow‑molding (a hybrid of injection molding and blow molding).
- Key components: two matched mold halves, a vat of molten plastic pellets (kept at ~225–250°F by steam coils), hydraulics, compressed air system.
- Process:
- Two mold halves close to form a hollow cavity (a negative of the figurine).
- Hot plastic is injected into the cavity.
- Compressed air is blown in to press the plastic to the mold walls and to expel excess plastic out the bottom (creating a hollow piece and returning excess to the vat).
- The toy is cooled briefly (machines instruct you to hold it upside down while cooling to avoid hot drips) and then dispensed.
- Notes: The machines smell strongly of melted plastic; historically they were kept outdoors because of fumes and heat. They require regular refills, cleaning and mechanical upkeep.
Where to find them and today’s operators
- Active locations: zoos, tourist attractions, theme parks, rest stops — especially in the Midwest and Florida. Toledo (Ohio) is repeatedly mentioned (Toledo Zoo, Children’s Wonderland/Tam O’Shanter).
- Waymarking.com lists coordinates for many operational machines.
- Modern operators / companies:
- Replication Devices (family business descended from early buyers; reportedly operates 60–70 machines).
- Mold‑A‑Rama, Inc. / William A. Jones Company (family ownership; about 60 machines in Midwest and elsewhere).
- Independent operators and creative repurposers (Rotofugi’s “Roto‑O‑Matic” in Chicago; Disney imagineers and hobbyists have built custom units).
- Economics: machines were expensive to build in the 1960s (~$3,600 in 1962, roughly $30k in modern dollars). A single machine can still produce significant cash flow at tourist sites (example: San Antonio Zoo estimate of ~130,000 figurines/year).
Popular designs, collectors and trivia
- Designs: Many hundreds of molds exist (estimates vary — one collector estimated ~300 designs; another counted about 196 original molds). Molds could be commissioned for festivals, parks, brand mascots, local landmarks, etc. Examples: St. Louis Arch, Titan missile, Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, local festival pumpkins, zoo animals, mermaids, and retro novelty figures (aliens, dinosaurs).
- Customization: Each machine normally uses one mold at a time — you get the same statue until the mold is swapped. Color could be changed by refilling with different colored pellets.
- Cultural tie-ins: The Purple People Eater figure and other novelty toys were part of 1950s pop culture (song/figure connections discussed in the episode).
- Collectors: Enthusiasts maintain photo archives, YouTube videos and databases; some own multiple machines or whole collections (e.g., “Moldville” projects).
Notable facts & memorable details
- Original production run of machines: roughly 1962–1969; most still in use were built during that era.
- Safety & experience: machines warn you to hold the new figurine upside down while it cools because of hot plastic drip risk; the smell of fresh molded plastic is a distinct part of the experience.
- Price evolution: originally 50¢ in the early 1960s (equivalent to about $4 in 2017 dollars); many machines now charge about $2.
- Tyke Miller later invented the “Golden Goat,” an early recycling machine that accepted aluminum cans and paid out money — a forward‑looking idea decades before mainstream recycling.
Recommendations / what to do next
- Want to see one? Check Waymarking or search “Mold‑A‑Rama” plus “zoo,” “world’s fair,” or a nearby tourist attraction. Look for YouTube videos to watch the process (many fans film the machines and the toy forming).
- If you enjoy nostalgia and mechanical curiosities, seek out a Mold‑A‑Rama — the live process is the main appeal more than the figurine itself.
- For collectors or event organizers: a commissioned mold or a repurposed machine is possible, but expect significant maintenance and operational requirements.
Notable quotes from the episode
- “A factory in a case.” — a succinct listener/host description of one of the machine’s charms.
- “An on‑demand injection blow‑molded plastic toy dispenser.” — the technical short definition.
This summary condenses the episode’s history, technical explanation and contemporary scene so you can decide whether to hunt down a working Mold‑A‑Rama or just enjoy the videos and photos online.