Hutchinson soda bottles are a unique type of antique bottle that had a wire stopper inside the neck and blob of the bottle. We collectors often refer to them simply as "Hutches". The wire piece that makes up the stopper on the bottle is slightly hourglass shaped. It is made out of one piece of wire (bent in half) to form this shape. On one end, there is a rubber gasket (held in place by washers welded to the wire). Once the stopper is placed inside the bottle, the rubber gasket winds up on the inside (where the contents are). The gasket is designed to seal the bottle below the neck at the shoulder of the bottle from the inside. The rest of the wire loops upward and allows the bottle to be opened or resealed by the part of the stopper that extends up and out of the blob. The hourglass shape creates tension against the inside of the blob holding the stopper in position. It cannot be pushed completely inside the bottle when the metal wire is not corroded. Likewise, it is very difficult to pull the rubber gasket back out of the bottle because it is a very tight fit. The name "Hutchinson" refers to the original inventor of this type of stopper.
The bottle today is essentially named after the stopper. The bottles were designed to be cleaned and re-used by the bottler. This partially explains why many examples found today have 'case wear'. Original patents were issued in 1879, however, widespread use did not occur until into the 1880s. The bottle then had nationwide acceptance until the 19 teens. At this time, automatic bottle making machines appeared and crown-topped bottles effectively replaced hutches. Hutchinson bottles were originally shipped in crates upside-down. These crates or cases had odd sized holes in them. This may be why so many bottles have the bottler's initials embossed on the bottom. They would be easier to identify in the crate without having to remove every bottle. It may also partially explain why you see so much case wear at the base of these bottles (where they were unprotected).
Hutchinson sodas typically feature a strong (rounded) shoulder with a small neck. Earlier bottles in the evolution of bottle form often had longer necks with more sloping shoulders. (Please see the blob soda gallery for examples). In Wisconsin, there are three general sizes of Hutches. The most common is pint sized but there are over sized examples (usually taller and thicker) and quart sized bottles as well. The bottles are usually aqua in color with a green or blue tint. There are some examples in clear glass, and others in unusual colors such as cobalt, saphire, amber, olive green or citron (yellowish green). The bottles were hand-blown by glassblowers and at times (if you are lucky) they can be found crudely formed. They can have whittle marks, bubbles, swirls of slag glass, thickly blown bottoms, sunken in blobs or they can lean to one side. There are many different bottlers who used Hutchinson soda bottles scattered throughout the entire state.
The day of the Hutchinson bottle was a different era without expansive shipping networks or preservatives to extend the shelf life of the contents. When Hutchies were first used, sterilization through pasteurization had not yet been discovered! One odd myth about Hutchinson soda bottles is that the phrase "soda pop" originated with these bottles. This is ostensibly because of the popping sound made when the bottles were sprung open. While these bottles may have popped, the term 'pop' was used in print and advertising earlier than the invention of this bottle type. Thus, the term probably originated alongside carbonated beverages in closed containers.
If you have bottles or bottlers from Wisconsin that are not shown in this gallery, I would love to hear from you. There are many bottles both rare and not so rare that are not shown because I don't have them and no-one has sent me photos. If you could add to the gallery, I will post and accredit your photos if desired. I have already uploaded the bulk of my Hutchinson collection but I will add new bottles as I get them. Once again, if YOU can fill some of the many gaps in the gallery, I would appreciate it. Any questions, comments, feedback, or other input is also appreciated. I can be reached via email. I hope you enjoy the gallery and that you love collecting these beauties as much as I do! Thanks, Bob
The Hutchinson soda bottles, often affectionately referred to as "Hutches," hold a unique place in the realm of antique bottles due to their distinctive design featuring a wire stopper within the neck and blob of the bottle. This design was patented in 1879 but gained widespread use only in the 1880s, achieving national acceptance until the early 1910s when crown-topped bottles replaced them due to the introduction of automatic bottle making machines.
Let's break down the concepts and information mentioned in the article:
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Hutchinson Stoppers:
- The stoppers were made of a single piece of wire bent to form a slightly hourglass shape. One end held a rubber gasket secured by washers welded to the wire.
- The rubber gasket, once inserted into the bottle, wound up inside, sealing it at the shoulder from the inside.
- The tension created by the hourglass shape against the bottle's blob held the stopper in position, making it difficult to push the stopper inside or remove the gasket.
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Bottle Design and Features:
- Hutchinson bottles had a strong, rounded shoulder and a small neck, distinguishing them from earlier bottle forms that had longer necks and more sloping shoulders.
- They typically came in aqua color with variations in tint, occasionally found in clear glass or other uncommon colors like cobalt, amber, or olive green.
- Hand-blown by glassblowers, these bottles could display marks of craftsmanship like whittle marks, bubbles, or uneven formations.
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Bottlers and Distribution:
- Hutchinson soda bottles were used by various bottlers across Wisconsin, with numerous examples found throughout the state.
- Bottles were often embossed with the bottler's initials at the base, aiding identification within crates, where they were shipped upside-down.
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Gallery and Collecting:
- The article mentions a gallery featuring Hutchinson soda bottles, inviting contributions to fill gaps in the collection, and offering to credit contributors' photos.
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Historical Context:
- The era of Hutchinson bottles predates expansive shipping networks and the discovery of pasteurization for sterilization, contributing to the need for reusing bottles by bottlers.
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Myth Debunking:
- Contrary to a myth linking the phrase "soda pop" to the Hutchinson bottles due to their popping sound when opened, historical evidence suggests that the term likely predated these bottles and originated alongside carbonated beverages in closed containers.
The Hutchinson bottles remain prized among collectors due to their historical significance, distinctive features, and the craftsmanship evident in their varied designs and colors. The article also highlights the collector's enthusiasm for expanding their gallery and invites participation from others passionate about these antique bottles.
