Fitch's Chewing Gum
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Fitch's Chewing Gum was the invention of Asa M. Fitch (1850-1923), No. 5057. In 1870, after experimenting in his kitchen, he produced a gum, which he called "Taffy-Tulu." Although initial response was discouraging, he traveled the country promoting his product. As his gum began to catch on, he built a factory in Lexington, IN, and when that burned down, he built another at Seymour, IN.
Illustrated here are two of his brands of chewing gum, "Mintoline" and "Bunkum." He also manufactured "Tulip" and "Blackstrap" gums until he retired in 1918.