The Village Hemorrhoid

Friday, September 29, 2023

A little over four months after Oscar Mayer announced that its iconic Wienermobile would be referred to as the "Frankmobile," the company is returning to its roots and changing the name back.
"It was a franktastic summer celebrating our 100% beef franks with the Frankmobile from coast to coast," Kelsey Rice, an associate director at Oscar Mayer, told Fox News Digital.
However, "like many of you," she added, "we miss our original icon. Kicking off last week, we’re welcoming back the Wienermobile," she said.
In May, the company, based in Chicago since 2015, announced that, for the first time in the 87 years of the Wienermobile, the vehicle would have a name change.
"The Wienermobile is a beloved American icon that has been sparking smiles and driving craveability for our iconic delicious wieners for nearly 100 years," said Stephanie Vance, an associate brand manager at Oscar Mayer, in a May 17 press release.
The original Wienermobile was the brainchild of Carl Mayer, nephew of founder Oscar Mayer, says the company's website.
In 1936, Carl Mayer "came up with the idea of a 13- foot metal hot dog on wheels to transport the company spokesperson."
General Body Company of Chicago made the first Wienermobile. It "featured open cockpits in the center and rear."
Four years later, the Wienermobile received safety upgrades in the form of a glass enclosure for the driver and passengers, said the website.
During World War II, the Wienermobile was briefly retired due to gas rationing.