Vintage Whimsy – The Mystic Bubble Maker

Once upon a time, probably in the early 1940’s, a company called the Secaucus Machine Works (of Secaucus, NJ), using a little blower fan from the HEINZE Co, manufactured a little machine called the Mystic Bubble Maker.

This is the predecessor of the modern bubble makers used by DJs, clowns and other party entertainment folks. Imagine this scenario: Walking into a movie theater in the 1940’s…
in the middle of World War II… getting seated and watching the newsreels, the serials, and relaxing in the fantastic atmosphere while bubbles float out over the audience and the music from the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ sets the mood. Pure escapism.

Our Rosie does not remember that scene, but her grandparents probably do, and her mother might.

So, when Rust brought by the little Mystic, with its eye bolts on top that secured it to the ceiling in the theater, and its round bubble making wheel, oiled the fan motor and mixed up a nice little solution of dish soap and water, plugged the Mystic in, for a little while Rosie could indeed imagine herself back in one of those dark, cool theaters.

Proof that while not all of the industry produced in America during the great industrial era of the 30’s and 40’s was serious, it was indeed worthwhile.

Watching those iridescent bubbles rise on the air is magic, and Mystic, indeed.

Wishing a wonderful weekend. It’s a lovely day in Norman, Oklahoma and Rosie’s gonna make the most of it.

5 thoughts

  3. This one is a vintage machine, not for sale. But there are quite a few good bubble machines out there (probably plastic, not metal, but they do the job.)

    Reply

  4. Hi, I have one of these machines, but it has been retrofitted with a different motor on the front, which is now failing. If you still have yours would you possibly take some photos of front motor assembly? (The one that turns the bubble wheel, not the blower motor) or relay what is written on that motor? I’d like to see how it was originally configured. The replacement motor (from the 1980’s) needs to be replaced and if I’m going to rebuild it, I’d love to make it look more like the original.

    Best,

    Jeff G

    Reply

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